Late NHL star Claude LemieuxHis family confirmed they will donate his brain for research into the neurodegenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
“Claude was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and teammate. To the hockey world, he was one of the game’s most unforgettable competitors: a four-time Stanley Cup champion, Conn Smythe Trophy winner and one of the greatest playoff players of all time,” his family said said in a statement on Saturday, May 30th. “To his family, he was more than a hero: he was loyal, loving, funny, protective and generous. He was stubborn and completely devoted to the people he loved. He, in turn, was adored by his family.”
Her statement continued: “Claude was a passionate man. He brought that passion to the rink, to his work, to his friendships and, most of all, to his family. He was fierce on the ice because he cared so much about winning, his teammates and the idea of never giving less than everything he had. Outside the game, he was tender, loyal and full of life. He made us laugh, he was there for us and he loved his children and grandchildren with all his heart.”
Claude’s death was confirmed Us weekly Lemieux died by suicide at age 60 and his body was found by one of his sons in a Florida warehouse.
His death shocked the sports world as Lemieux served as a torchbearer at the NHL Eastern Conference final between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes in Montreal on Monday, May 25.
As part of Saturday’s statement, the Lemieux family announced it would donate his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at Boston University’s CTE Center to research “the long-term effects of repeated head impacts and traumatic brain injuries.”
(Per Mayo ClinicCTE is a brain disease that involves repeated head injuries and can lead to the “death of nerve cells in the brain.” The clinic notes that CTE is “rare and not well understood” but is often associated with athletes or combat veterans.)
Claude Lemieux in April 2002.
Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images/NHLI“Claude dedicated his post-playing career to supporting the next generation,” his family said Saturday. “By allowing his name to be associated with this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations and better protection for athletes and families in the years to come.”
The Lemieuxs said they view their donation to Boston University’s CTE Center as “a gift to science, to athletes and to future generations of families looking for answers.” Her statement also addressed speculation about the “circumstances of Claude’s death.”
“Suicide is complex and the family asks the media and public to discuss this loss with care, compassion and respect for those who lost him,” they urged.
The family confirmed that details of a memorial service will be released “at a later date.”
The NHL world was rocked by the sudden death of hockey legend Claude Lemieux by apparent suicide at the age of 60. “The National Hockey League mourns the loss of Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the greatest players in hockey history,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement on Thursday.
Saturday’s statement was first published by Brendan Lemieuxwho had previously been the first family member to break his silence about Claude’s death. (Claude and his wife, DeborahThey had four children together: sons Christopher, Michael And Brendan as well as daughter Claudia.)
“I love you, Dad!” Brendan, 30, wrote via Instagram on Thursday. “My son’s favorite person will be watching from above for a while. See you ♥️.”
His sister Claudia shared her own emotional memorial post the same day, writing on Instagram: “No words to express the level of devastation we feel. I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl 💔”
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