NHL legend Patrick Roy expressed his profound sorrow following the death of former teammate Claude Lemieux, who passed away Thursday at the age of 60. The news has sent shockwaves through the hockey community, particularly as it was reported that Lemieux’s death followed a suicide attempt.
Roy, who played alongside Lemieux during their time with the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche, shared his feelings in a heartfelt statement. “I am deeply saddened to learn of Claude Lemieux’s passing,” he said in French to reporter Renaud Lavoie. “Claude was an exceptional teammate, a fierce competitor, a key element in several of our greatest achievements, and a player who left his mark on our sport. His intensity and determination made him a player respected by his teammates and feared by his opponents.”
Reflecting on their shared experiences, Roy noted, “We shared unforgettable moments, memorable victories, and a shared passion for hockey. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this ordeal.” The two NHL icons celebrated two Stanley Cup victories together, first in Montreal during the 1985-86 season and again in Colorado in 1995-96.
Lemieux’s illustrious career spanned 21 seasons in the NHL, where he played for the Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Avalanche, Coyotes, Stars, and Sharks. Over his career, he amassed 379 goals and 407 assists in 1,215 regular-season games, along with 158 points in 234 postseason matches.
Authorities have reported that Lemieux’s death was ruled a suicide, with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office responding to a call at a furniture store he owned in Lake Park, Florida. The investigation is ongoing, and the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released specific details due to a Florida statute regarding suicide cases.
The New Jersey Devils organization, where Lemieux spent part of six seasons, also released a statement expressing their condolences. “The New Jersey Devils organization is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former Devil Claude Lemieux,” they said. “A clutch player on the ice and greatly appreciated by Devils’ fans off it, Claude’s impact in bringing the first-ever Stanley Cup to New Jersey will forever be remembered as one of the paramount performances in team history. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.
