DENVER (KDVR) — Claude Lemieux, a former Colorado Avalanche player and NHL star, died at the age of 60, the NHL Alumni Association announced on Thursday afternoon.
The NHL Alumni Association announced Lemieux’s death in a post on social media. ESPN reported that authorities said Lemieux died by suicide.
Advertisement
Lemieux, who was originally born in Buckingham, Quebec, played for the Montreal Canadiens from 1983 to 1990, winning a Stanley Cup in 1986, and the New Jersey Devils for five seasons, where he also won a Stanley Cup in 1995. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for his role in helping the New Jersey Devils win their first championship.
FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies and more sports news
He won two Stanley Cups with his teams before joining the Colorado Avalanche and brought home another trophy. Lemieux raised the Stanley Cup in Colorado for the first time in 1996 and played with the Avs for five seasons before rejoining the Devils — where he won his fourth Stanley Cup in 2000.
Commissioner Gary Bettman called Lemieux “one of the greatest big-game players in hockey history.”
Advertisement
“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.”
Lemieux on Monday night was the Montreal Canadiens’ torch bearer prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Bell Centre.
“We are devastated to learn of Claude’s passing. ‘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. Most importantly he was a wonderful family man and there is nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his grandchildren. Today is a very sad day for the Avalanche family and Claude will be greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him. On behalf of the entire Avalanche organization, we send our love and prayers to Deborah and the Lemieux family,” Joe Sakic said. “Gone but never forgotten, rest in peace my friend.”
Memorial service details are to come.
Advertisement
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
—
Find mental health resources in Colorado.
If you are thinking of hurting or killing yourself:
Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Please get help immediately.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.