RIP Claude Lemieux

[UPChip]

Claude Lemieux, Stanley Cup champion and fierce playoff competitor, dies at 60

 

[Jake from State Farm]

This isn’t Paywalled

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/48901936/4-stanley-cup-champion-claude-lemieux-dies-60

Among his clients: Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Being at that game was one of the highlights of my career. Plus where I was sitting in the press box I saw something few others saw — McCarty picking up Lemieux and kneeing him in the nuts

 

[MileHigh]

Dino Ciccarelli: "I can't believe I shook this guy's friggin' hand after the game. That pisses me right off."

 

[No Phonies]

No details, but TMZ is reporting that the cause of death was suicide.

https://www.tmz.com/2026/05/28/claude-lemieux-cause-of-death/

 

[Della9250]

Wasn't he just at Game 3 of Avs-Knights?

 

[No Phonies]

Wasn't he just at Game 3 of Avs-Knights?

Game 3 of Habs-Canes, yes

 

[WolvEagle]

He was a gutless SOB for what he did to Draper, but when McCarty beat the crap out of him, that helped the Red Wings to get over the hump and win back-to-back Stanley Cups.

The Wings-Avs rivalry during that time was something else. Lemieux, Roy and Crawford were absolutely hated by Wings fans.

Later in life, he and McCarty became friends and did appearances together.

Still, if it was a suicide, man ... I feel horrible for his family and friends. I wonder if CTE was a factor. I hope his family is able to find that out.

 

[Della9250]

Game 3 of Habs-Canes, yes

Ok I had it on the background and thought I saw/heard his name

 

[Woody Long's Twin Brother]

I was skating at an event last fall with some NHL alumni, and we called Pepe on the phone. Despite his on-ice antics and persona, he was as nice a guy as there was, and it sucks typing that in the past tense.

 

[MileHigh]

Game 3 of Habs-Canes, yes

He was the torch-bearer for their pregame that they do.

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

Damn, that's terrible. The quote from Darren McCarty in the AP obit hints at the suicide as well.

 

[Bubbler]

An irritant, but a winner too. I miss that era of hockey. RIP.

 

[Roscablo]

He's still ninth in all-time playoff goals. That seems just crazy, and likely not noticed because of that irritant factor, but clearly he did a job.

 

[Bubbler]

Just looked at penalty minutes. Only 12 players had more than 100 this season in the NHL and no player has topped 200 in nearly a decade.

In 1987, the first season Claude Lemieux played regularly, 132 players topped 100 PIM and four players topped 300 PIM.

The lunkheaded days of the 80s sent the balance too far towards goonism, especially in the Norris Division, where I swear every team had more enforcers than skilled players, but the balance has swung too far the other direction now.

The game is undoubtedly more skilled now, but less interesting. I don’t see a huge difference in the styles of lines when I watch, whereas in the past, there was a definite difference in style when a line switch was made.

I get it. We’re more savvy about concussions now. Goonism was pretty stupid and the role a Lemieux played (not a goon, but a skilled agitator) seems largely legislated out of existence. Still, players like him made the game more interesting, love him or hate him.

 

[Driftwood]

Old time hockey

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

ESPN did a tremendous 30 for 30 on the rivalry. Hoping they play it again soon. RIP.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Guys like Brad Marchand and Zach Benson owe a debt to Lemieux

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Damn, that's terrible. The quote from Darren McCarty in the AP obit hints at the suicide as well.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirms suicide.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Also helped the Devils to two Stanley Cups. One of those guys who you couldn’t stand, but you were glad to have on your team. RIP