The NHL Alumni Association announced on Thursday afternoon the passing of Claude Lemieux. Lemieux, at 60, won the Stanley Cup four times in his legendary career with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche.
The NHL Alumni Association is devastated to share that Claude Lemieux has passed away at the age of 60.
Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Claude was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft and would make his NHL debut just a few months later… pic.twitter.com/iohlATU6qz
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) May 28, 2026
Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Claude Lemieux was selected in the second round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. From the start, you knew Lemieux was a big game player when it came to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Though it took some time for the youngster to find his way with the Canadiens full-time, during the 1986 run to the Stanley Cup, Lemieux recorded 16 points (10 goals and six assists) in 20 playoff games.
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In 1990, the New Jersey Devils, led by then-General Manager Lou Lamoriello, traded for Lemieux from Montreal in exchange for Sylvain Turgeon. Lemieux made an impact right away, providing goal scoring to a lineup that was missing John MacLean in his first season in New Jersey. There he was reunited with Stephane Richer, and the Devils were poised for a run at the Stanley Cup.
While his regular-season numbers dropped in subsequent years, he rose to the occasion in the playoffs. Each year with the Devils, he was one of the team’s best players. Despite heartbreak in 1994, Lemieux recorded 18 points (seven goals and 11 assists) in 20 games as the Devils fell to the Rangers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final.
The following year, in 1995, Lemieux propelled the Devils to the Stanley Cup, scoring timely goals and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP with 16 points (13 goals and three assists) in 20 games as the New Jersey Devils won their first of three Stanley Cup Championships.
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During that run, head coach Jacques Lemaire put Lemieux on Cam Neely in Round 1 vs Boston, on Jaromir Jagr in Round 2 vs Pittsburgh, and on Eric Lindros in Round 3 vs Philadelphia. Lemieux played a shutdown role against the other team’s top players. He just couldn’t rise to the occasion in the playoffs.
The following season, Lemieux left for the Colorado Avalanche. As he did in Montreal and New Jersey, he played an integral role with the Avalanche, lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history after moving from Quebec City. During that run with the Avalanche on May 29, 1996, Lemieux hit Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper from behind into the boards in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final. Tomorrow would have been 30 years since the incident.
Draper’s face hit the boards, leaving him with a broken jaw, shattered cheekbone, broken nose, and broken orbital bone, requiring extensive reconstructive surgery. That hit knocked him out of the Western Conference Final. The following season, Darren McCarty got revenge in the famous March 26, 1997, brawl at Joe Louis Arena. Tensions were high between these combatants. But over the years, they were able to clear the air after their on-ice tensions.
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As many players have stated, as tributes pour in for Lemieux, he was a pain to play against on the ice, but off the ice, he was as gentle as he could be. And that was true. Some opponents had some nice things to say about him during his playing days. But they respected how he played the game.
In November of 1999, the man they called “Pepe” returned to New Jersey and helped the Devils win their second in franchise history and the fourth of his career. Though he was not as big a contributor then, he could still play with an edge that carried the Devils through the playoffs.
He came up with a massive goal in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Philadelphia Flyers as the Devils trailed 3-2 in the series. That goal helped spark the Devils, forcing a Game 7, which they ultimately won.
In the 1215 regular season with the Canadiens, Devils, Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, and Dallas Stars, he recorded 786 points (379 goals and 407 assists). He tried to make a comeback with the San Jose Sharks in 2008-209. In 234 playoff games, Lemieux recorded 158 points (80 goals and 78 assists).
“He was loved by his wife and four children, and on behalf of the Lemieux family, we kindly ask that everyone respect their privacy during this difficult time. Memorial service details to follow.”
Public Service Announcement: There are reports of Lemieux committing suicide. If you know anyone going through anything, check in on them.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
