Lemieux died four days after appearing at Montreal's Bell Centre, where he carried the ceremonial torch onto the ice before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens on May 26.
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Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen, one of Lemieux's clients, said Lemieux contacted him before the game about the honor.
Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Lemieux was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL Draft. He spent parts of seven seasons with Montreal and helped the franchise win the Stanley Cup in 1986.
Lemieux later became one of the NHL's most recognizable playoff performers. He won two Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils, including the 1995 title when he scored 13 postseason goals and captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
He added a fourth Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.
Over 234 career playoff games, Lemieux scored 80 goals and built a reputation as one of hockey's fiercest competitors. During his time with Colorado, he delivered a hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper that caused multiple facial fractures and intensified the rivalry between the franchises.
Lemieux played 21 NHL seasons before retiring and later joining 4Sports Hockey as a player agent. His clients included Andersen, Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Rasmus Andersson, New Jersey Devils winger Timo Meier, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Hurricanes prospect Felix Unger Sorum.
His son, Brendan Lemieux, played for the Hurricanes during the 2023-24 season and also spent time with the organization's AHL affiliate.
Lemieux is survived by his wife, Deborah, and their four children.
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
