Former Canadiens playoff hero Claude Lemieux dies at age 60
Former Canadiens forward Claude Lemieux has died at the age of 60. The NHL Alumni Association made the shocking announcement on Thursday.
Lemieux made his final public appearance on Monday, when he carried the pre-game torch into the Bell Centre before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final between Montreal and Carolina.
Lemieux was a second-round draft choice of the Canadiens in 1983 and, while known as an on-ice pest who frequently feigned injuries, he also was a clutch playoff performer.
In his first full season with the Canadiens, Lemieux scored a team-leading 10 goals in 20 playoff games, helping lead Montreal to its 23rd Stanley Cup. He played seven seasons with the Canadiens before being traded to New Jersey prior to the 1990-91 season.
Lemieux played 1,215 career regular-season games with Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado, Phoenix and San Jose. He scored 379 goals and 786 points, while winning four Cups.
No cause of death was immediately announced.
This story will be updated.
