LAKE PARK, FLORIDA — Claude Lemieux died by suicide at the age of 60 in the early morning of June 27, 2024, at his family’s furniture store in Lake Park, Florida. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded just after 3 a.m. to an apparent suicide and that Lemieux was found in a rear warehouse by one of his sons.

Lemieux was a four-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, the New Jersey Devils in 1995 and 2000, and the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. He played 1,449 regular-season and playoff games across six NHL teams from 1983 to 2009 and recorded 80 career playoff goals, ranking ninth in league history. In 1995, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after scoring 13 goals in 20 games for New Jersey.

Just three days before his death, Lemieux served as the Montreal Canadiens’ torch bearer prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Bell Centre. After his passing, Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said, “Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community. 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.”

Joe Sakic, Colorado’s president of hockey operations and Lemieux’s former teammate, called him “‘Pepe’” and said, “‘Pepe’ was a terrific hockey player, a fierce competitor and a champion in every way. He was also a loyal friend who would do anything for his teammates and someone you could always count on. Gone but never forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.”

Lemieux later worked as an NHL player agent, representing more than a dozen athletes, including Frederik Andersen, Timo Meier, Moritz Seider, and Hampus Lindholm. His brother Jocelyn and son Brendan also played in the NHL.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for confidential support 24/7.