Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion, has died. He was 60. “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 on October 13, 1983 and scored his first career NHL goal on December 4, 1983. Claude split time between the Canadiens organization and the QMJHL from 1983 to 1985, capturing the President’s Cup with the Verdun Junior Canadiens in 1985 as QMJHL playoff champions, while earning the Guy Lafleur Trophy as Playoff MVP,” the NHL Alumni Association announced. “The very next season, Claude recorded 10 goals and 16 points in 20 playoff games as he and the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup. Claude remained with the Canadiens for an additional four seasons before joining the New Jersey Devils ahead of the 1990-91 season. In 1994-95, his fifth and final season with New Jersey, Claude led the Devils to their first Stanley Cup championship, registering 13 goals in 20 playoff games, taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP. As a member of the Colorado Avalanche in 1995-96, Claude was once again an integral part of team history as the Avalanche hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup for the very first time in 1996,” the statement continued. “Claude played 297 regular-season games in an Avalanche uniform before rejoining the New Jersey Devils in November of 1999, and for a fourth and final time, would be crowned a Stanley Cup champion on June 10, 2000. Claude later played for the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars before making a comeback with the San Jose Sharks during the 2008-09 season. Internationally, Claude represented Canada on several occasions, including capturing a gold medal at the 1985 World Junior Hockey Championships and winning the 1987 Canada Cup. 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,” it added. 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 ESPN shared further: Lemieux was one of the NHL’s most antagonistic players, known for getting under the skin of other teams’ star players. His play would frequently cross the line of legality, as Lemieux earned 1,777 penalty minutes in his career as well as the ire of opposing fans. There was never more heat on Lemieux than in 1996 with the Avalanche, when he checked Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper from behind in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. Draper suffered a concussion and needed reconstructive surgery on his face. Lemieux was suspended for two playoff games. This led to an epic line brawl between the teams on March 26, 1997. This would eventually be covered in ESPN’s series “Unrivaled” in 2022. After his retirement, Lemieux became an NHLPA certified player agent, representing players such as Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen. Lemieux appeared before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals at Bell Centre, carrying the Canadiens’ pregame torch to “light up” the arena before their game against Carolina. According to TMZ, Lemieux’s death was ruled as a suicide. Exclusive: Claude Lemieux died by suicide. https://t.co/1T7lEKO78e pic.twitter.com/Ge4GfKzMXr — TMZ (@TMZ) May 28, 2026 TMZ explained further: Lemieux — who was 60 years old — was found at the family furniture business by his adult son around 3 AM after they became concerned that he hadn’t returned home. The 21-year NHL vet was located in a rear warehouse. Lemieux — known for his fiery and aggressive play on the ice — spent 21 seasons in the league, playing for the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and San Jose Sharks. Claude reached the pinnacle of his sport on four occasions, winning the Cup in 1986, 1995, 1996, and 2000. In ’95, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the top playoff performer.