NHL legend Claude Lemieux dies aged 60

The NHL Alumni Association announced on Thursday that Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion, has died at the age of 60. No cause of death was provided in the initial report. Lemieux, who played 1,215 National Hockey League games over a 21-year career, was recently in Montreal to carry the Canadiens’ torch prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Lemieux began his professional journey after being selected 26th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 1983. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the club, helping them secure the Stanley Cup in 1986 at the age of 20. During that championship run, he recorded 10 goals and six assists in 20 games.

Nearly a decade later, Lemieux moved to the New Jersey Devils, leading them to their first Stanley Cup victory in 1995. He scored a league-leading 13 goals during the playoffs, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the postseason. The following year, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche, where he contributed 71 regular-season points and 12 playoff points to help the franchise win its first championship in 1996.

Known for his physical style of play, Lemieux ranked third in NHL history for playoff penalty minutes with 529. His tenure was marked by significant controversy in 1996 when he injured Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper in the Western Conference Final, resulting in a suspension for the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. He returned to New Jersey in the 1999-2000 season to win his fourth Stanley Cup.

Lemieux concluded his playing career with stints at the Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and San Jose Sharks, with his final NHL game occurring on April 19, 2009, against the Anaheim Ducks. He finished with 379 goals, 407 assists, and 786 points. Following his retirement in 2009, he transitioned into a role as an agent, serving as the North American president for 4Sports Hockey.