After Polarizing Hockey Great Claude Lemieux Dies By Suicide At 60, Teammates Pay Tribute

by Alexander BumbJune 4, 2026, 1:15 am >

Claude Lemieux built one of the more polarizing and successful careers in NHL history. He’s also known for an elite playoff performance, and he’s one of hockey’s most controversial figures.

He was found dead on May 28 by his adult son in the warehouse of a furniture store owned by his family in Florida, around 3 a.m., after they became concerned he had not returned home. He was 60 years old.

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But over a 20-year career in the NHL, he established himself as one of the game’s premier postseason players. The Canadian wing appeared in almost 1300 regular shooting games and scored 379 goals while playing for multiple teams like the Montreal Canadiens, the New Jersey Devils, the Colorado Avalanche, the Phoenix Coyotes and the San Jose Sharks.

Well, the regular-season stats were impressive. He earned a reputation during the Stanley Cup playoffs. He scored 80 goals in the playoffs, ranking among the top postseason goal scorers in NHL history. In big moments, he stepped up to the occasion, and in crucial moments, he helped them win four Stanley Cup championships with three different franchises.

Captured the first Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1986 and added titles with New Jersey in 1995, Colorado in 1996 and 2000. During New Jersey’s championship in 1995, he was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy, which is the NHL‘s most valuable player in the playoffs.

Despite his success, he often found himself at the center of controversy. He developed a reputation as an agitator who just pissed off his opponents, and with his physical style, he would just push the boundaries of the game. Still, tributes have poured in from fans and teammates alike, honoring a great part of the game.