Claude Lemieux, a feisty winger and a four-time Stanley Cup champion, dies at 60

Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion, died at age 60. The NHL Alumni Association announced his death, and no cause of death or location at the time was immediately provided. Lemieux had served as the Montreal Canadiens’ torch bearer before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at the Bell Centre. Canadiens owner Geoff Molson praised Lemieux as a relentless, courageous, and tenacious competitor who embodied the Canadiens’ spirit. Lemieux combined skill with abrasiveness and was known for playing physically. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1995 with the New Jersey Devils and later won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996, despite a suspension for a hit.

"“Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community,” Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said. “A fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous, and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors. He embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day.”"

"As a player, Lemieux was a mix of skill and abrasiveness, not afraid to cross the line in the name of competition. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for his role in helping the New Jersey Devils win their first championship in 1995. A year later with the Colorado Avalanche, he was suspended for two games for a hit from behind on Detroit's Kris Draper on the way to them hoisting the Stanley Cup for the first time in their first season since moving from his native Quebec."

"“This is extremely sad no matter what feelings from past or present you hold,” McCarty said. “My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends, and people who got to see the person off the ice wasn't the person on. As I've said and will always call it as I see it "If you're on the ICE with Claude Lemieux and your turn your back. YOU Are an IDIOT. But off the ICE I'll turn mine" And please. If you are struggling at all please reach out and talk to someone. Godspeed my friend.”"

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