Jan. 20, 2009; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing Claude Lemieux (32) warms up before the game against the Vancouver Canucks at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jan. 20, 2009; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing Claude Lemieux (32) warms up before the game against the Vancouver Canucks at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The demise of NHL legend Claude Lemieux saddened the hockey world. And now, details have emerged about the arrangements made after the four-time Stanley Cup champion passed away at age 60.
Following the news, former teammates, coaches, teams, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman paid tribute to him and remembered his successful NHL career.
According to US Weekly, Lemieux’s body was moved from Florida to North Carolina after his passing. The d**** certificate says the former NHL player was first taken to a funeral home in Stuart, Florida. After that, he was shifted to another state for burial.
Unknown Date; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Colorado Avalanche forward Claude Lemieux (22) in action against the Florida Panthers at the Miami Arena during the 1996 season. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Unknown Date; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Colorado Avalanche forward Claude Lemieux (22) in action against the Florida Panthers at the Miami Arena during the 1996 season. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The document states that Lemieux will be buried at Henson Chapel Cemetery in Vilas, North Carolina. It lists his occupation as a hockey player and his industry as the National Hockey League, recognizing a career that lasted more than 20 years.
Lemieux was found on May 28 by one of his adult children at the Andros Home showroom in West Palm Beach County. Earlier reports stated that the longtime NHL veteran died by s******.
Lemieux’s NHL career remains a big part of his legacy. Across 21 NHL seasons, he represented six franchises and won four Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens, the New Jersey Devils, and the Colorado Avalanche.
Notably, Lemieux's family has ensured his contributions to the sport will go beyond accolades.
Lemieux’s Family to Donate His Brain
Following Lemieux’s demise, his family shared a public statement through his son, Brendan Lemieux. They expressed gratitude for the support from fans, friends, former teammates, opponents, and organizations after the news became public.
The family also announced an important decision to help future research. They said Lemieux’s brain was donated to the UNITE Brain Bank at Boston University’s CTE Center.
"In the hope that Claude's life can continue to help others, the family has chosen to donate his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at Boston University CTE Center for research into the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury," the statement read.
In the statement, the family also said that Lemieux died by s****** and asked for privacy as they mourn his loss. They expressed their intention not to make any more public statements at this time.
The announcement has started new discussions about Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and its possible link to former hockey players who spent many years playing a physical game.
Among notable cases, doctors confirmed CTE in late NHL players Bob Probert and Derek Boogaard, as reported by CBS Sports in 2011.
As the hockey world continues to mourn, Lemieux’s family hopes that his final contribution will inform research surrounding brain injuries and their long-term effects on athletes.
What do you think? What impact could Claude Lemieux’s final donation have on hockey’s future player safety?
Read more at the NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Sijo Paul