Claude Lemieux died at age 60. The former Canadian player left his mark on the NHL as one of the most competitive players of his generation. The information was confirmed this Thursday.
Ele played 21 seasons in the league and won four Stanley Cup titles. Lemieux stood out especially in the playoffs, where he accumulated impressive numbers.
Carreira started on Montreal Canadiens
Claude Lemieux was selected by Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL Draft. Ele came from the QMJHL team Trois-Rivieres Draveurs. The striker debuted consistently in the 1985-86 season. Naqueles playoffs, he scored 10 goals in 20 games and helped the team win Stanley Cup’s 23rd title. Depois from seven seasons into Montreal, Lemieux was switched to New Jersey Devils before the 1990-91 season.
- Montreal Canadiens (1983-1990)
- New Jersey Devils (1990-1995 and 1999-2000)
- Colorado Avalanche (1995-1999)
- Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks (later periods)
The switch to the Devils opened a new phase. In 1995, Lemieux led the playoff scorers with 13 goals. Ele received Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP after sweeping Detroit Red Wings in the finals.
Consecutive Títulos with different teams
The following year, Lemieux went to Colorado Avalanche. Ele became the tenth player in NHL history to beat Stanley Cup in consecutive years with different teams. With Avalanche, he recorded 12 points in 19 games in the 1996 playoffs. The team won its first league title. Lemieux returned to Devils in 1999-2000 and won his fourth championship ring. In total, he played in 234 career playoff games, with 78 goals and 158 points.
The forward accumulated 379 goals and 786 points in 1,215 regular season games. Ele also recorded 1,777 penalty minutes, which reflected his aggressive and provocative style on the ice.
Irmão and son also played in the NHL
Claude Lemieux was the older brother of Jocelyn Lemieux, who played forward in the NHL. Seu son Brendan Lemieux played for five teams over seven seasons in the league. The family was present at different moments in the player’s career. Brendan followed in his father’s footsteps as a right winger known for his physical play.
Lemieux officially retired in July 2009 after briefly returning with San Jose Sharks in the 2008-09 season. Ele was 43 years old at the time.
Última public appearance on Bell Centre
On Monday, Claude Lemieux participated in Montreal Canadiens’s pre-game ceremony. Ele carried the torch before Game 3 against Carolina Hurricanes, for the Leste conference final. The moment occurred on Bell Centre and was one of the last public images of the former player. Torcedores and former teammates recorded the gesture with emotion.
The NHL and the former players’ association have not yet detailed the cause of death. The focus now turns to paying tribute to the athlete who became known both for decisive goals and intense rivalry.
Números that defined trajectory
Performance in the playoffs has always exceeded the regular career average. Lemieux had 80 goals in the postseason, which puts him among the greatest in history in this regard. Ele beat Stanley Cup with three different franchises. Apenas 11 players have achieved this feat to date. Lemieux’s style was not without controversy. Ele was seen as one of the league’s greatest pests, capable of destabilizing opponents with borderline plays.
Mesmo thus, the titles prove his importance in decisive moments. In four Stanley Cup finals, his team emerged victorious.