Claude Lemieux Dead at 60: Cause of Death for NHL Legend and Revealed

The hockey world is mourning the loss of NHL legend Claude Lemieux, who passed away at the age of 60 on Thursday.

At 1:14 p.m. EST, the NHL Alumni Association announced in an X (formerly Twitter) post that Lemieux had passed away. No cause of death was immediately given.

The news of his death was stunning to fans and pundits, as Lemieux appeared at the Bell Centre for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final to carry out the torch before the Montreal Canadiens-Carolina Hurricanes contest just three days earlier.

In an update, TMZ Sports is reporting that Lemieux died by suicide. The four-time Stanley Cup champion was discovered by his son at the family's furniture business in Florida in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Lemieux is survived by his wife, Deborah, and their four children.

Claude Lemieux Saved His Best Hockey for When It Mattered Most

The Canadiens drafted Lemieux in the second round (26th overall) in 1983. He helped Montreal to a Stanley Cup championship in the 1986 season, dispatching the Calgary Flames in five games.

Lemieux won his second Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, when they swept the heavily favored Detroit Red Wings. Lemieux won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP, scoring 13 goals in 20 playoff games.

A year later, Lemieux guided the Colorado Avalanche to a Stanley Cup in their first season after relocating from Quebec. He won his fourth championship with New Jersey in 2000.

Lemieux finished with 379 goals and 786 points in 1,215 career NHL games.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 5:27 PM.