May 29, 2026, 12:07 p.m. MT
Hockley legend Claude Lemieux, who played for the then-Phoenix Coyotes for 2 1/2 seasons in Arizona, has died, as first reported by the NHL Alumni Association on May 28, 2026.
Lemieux was 60.
He was on four Stanley Cup champion teams.
In his 20+ seasons, Lemieux totaled 786 points, including 379 goals, and 1,777 penalty minutes over 1,215 games.
Lemieux is survived by his wife, Deborah, and their four children.
How did Claude Lemieux die?
Reports in The Athletic and other publications indicated Lemieux died by suicide.
The Palm Beach Post reported the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said a family member found the body shortly before 3:30 a.m. local time on May 28 in the rear warehouse of the Andros Home furniture showroom.
USA TODAY Sports reported that state business records list Lemieux as the registered agent for Andros Home, which incorporated in 2022.
USA TODAY Sports' Jesse Yomtov wrote: "USA TODAY Sports contacted the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office but was notified that the information it has for Claude Lemieux is 'exempt from public records. The Palm County Medical Examiner's Office told USA TODAY Sports in response to an open records request that "all public records you have requested for Claude Lemieux are exempt from public records as specified under SB 474 - FS 406.135. (2) (c). The Florida statute cited by the Palm County Medical Examiner’s Office was enacted in 2024 and exempts photos, videos, audio recordings and autopsy reports related to suicide victims from general public records requests."
Claude Lemieux's son posts emotional message on social media
Brendan Lemieux, 30, who played for five NHL teams during his career from 2016-24, posted an emotional message on social media about his father.
"I love you dad!" Brendan Lemieux wrote on Instagram. "My son's favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you."
Brendan has a young son.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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