Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion whose ferocious, hard-hitting style of play angered opponents and sometimes overshadowed his prodigious skills and ability to deliver in the biggest games, has died after taking his own life, according to authorities. He was 60. <\/p>\n
The Palm Beach County Sherriff\u2019s Office said on Thursday that deputies responded just after 3am to the scene of an apparent suicide at the family\u2019s furniture store in Lake Park, Florida.<\/p>\n
The office said the victim was believed to be Lemieux, who was found in a rear warehouse by one of his sons.<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n The NHL Alumni Association announced Lemieux\u2019s death in a post on social media.<\/p>\n Just three days ago, Lemieux was the Montreal Canadiens\u2019 torch bearer prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Bell Centre.<\/p>\n Former teammate Chris Nilan reposted a photo of him, Lemieux and Sergio Momesso from the arena with the message: \u201cYou never know when you\u2019re going to see someone for the last time. Rest in Peace, Mon Ami.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToday is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community,\u201d Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said.<\/p>\n \u201cA fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors.<\/p>\n \u201cHe embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day.\u201d<\/p>\n As a player, Lemieux was a bruising mix of talent and abrasiveness, not afraid to cross the line in the name of competition over 21 seasons in the NHL.<\/p>\n He wound up with nearly 400 goals, about the same number of assists and nearly 1,800 penalty minutes, the epitome of a guy you wanted on your team but dreaded facing on the ice.<\/p>\n \u201cJust hard-nosed, hard-nosed player,\u201d said Montreal coach Martin St. Louis, a former star for Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I played against Claude, you had to fight for every inch on the ice with him. He competed hard. He always toed the line. He was a hard player to play against.\u201d<\/p>\n Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after scoring 13 goals in 20 games for the New Jersey Devils to help them win their first championship in 1995.
<\/p>\n A year later with the Colorado Avalanche, he was suspended for two games for a hit from behind on Detroit\u2019s Kris Draper that fueled one of the nastiest rivalries in the history of the NHL.<\/p>\n Lemieux returned to score the first goal in Game 3 of the final against Florida on the way to the Avalanche sweeping the Panthers to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in their first season since moving from his native Quebec.<\/p>\n Part of a hockey family, Lemieux\u2019s brother Jocelyn and son Brendan also played in the league. Brendan\u2019s feisty style over more than 300 games most resembled his father\u2019s.<\/p>\n Darren McCarty, a truculent member of the Red Wings who had multiple fights with Lemieux, posted a broken heart emoji on social media and heard the news from Draper.<\/p>\n McCarty said Lemieux the person was totally different than the player, and the two later met for an interview with smiles about their clashes.<\/p>\n \u201cSad day: another brother gone,\u201d McCarty said in a video message posted to YouTube.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re struggling out there, no matter what, just reach out for some help. It can never be that bad. It\u2019s a sad day, no matter what. Rest in peace, Claude.\u201d<\/p>\n Colorado president of hockey operations Joe Sakic, who was teammates with Lemieux on the Avalanche, said the organisation was devastated.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Pepe\u2019 was a terrific hockey player, a fierce competitor and a champion in every way. He was also a loyal friend who would do anything for his teammates and someone you could always count on,\u201d Sakic said<\/p>\n \u201cGone but never forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n Lemieux also won the Cup with Montreal in 1986 and returned to the Devils to be a part of their title run in 2000. He played 1449 regular-season and playoff games with six different teams from 1983-2009, finishing with Phoenix, Dallas and San Jose.<\/p>\n His 80 career playoff goals rank ninth in league history. Commissioner Gary Bettman called Lemieux \u201cone of the greatest big-game players in hockey history.\u201d
<\/p>\n Lemieux had become an agent in the years since his playing career ended and represented Carolina\u2019s Frederik Andersen, New Jersey\u2019s Timo Meier, Detroit\u2019s Moritz Seider and Boston\u2019s Hampus Lindholm among more than a dozen clients in the NHL.<\/p>\n At a gathering in December to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of Colorado\u2019s \u201996 Stanley Cup championship, Lemieux said of winning, \u201cWhen it\u2019s happening, when you\u2019re in the middle of it, you don\u2019t quite appreciate it as much as you should.\u201d<\/p>\n Late former teammate Chris Simon was represented during the on-ice ceremony by his children. He died in 2024 at 52.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very difficult, and especially with Chris passing at such a young age,\u201d Lemieux said. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 131114. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Emotional Aussie anthem singer forced to act after savage criticism <\/p>\n 2 min read<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe have to count our blessings \u2014 be grateful for the days that we have and enjoy and appreciate those times when we get together.\u201d<\/p>\n