Claude Lemieux cause of death sparks concerns among hockey community

Claude Lemieux, a four-times Stanley Cup winner and clutch scorer who was renowned for his role as an agitator on the ice, has died at ​the age of 60, the NHL Alumni Association said on Thursday.

Citing authorities, ESPN reported that Lemieux died by suicide. "The ​National Hockey League mourns the passing of Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one ​of the greatest big-game players in hockey history," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in ⁠a statement.

His sudden death sparked concerns among hockey community as Lemieux appeared energetic and engaged just days earlier, carrying the ceremonial torch for the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs.

Some observes hinted at possible CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) or long-term effects of head trauma.

According to them since Lemieux was known as an extremely physical, aggressive player and agitator who played a high-contact style over 21 NHL seasons,  this could have played a role.

 Parallels were also drawn to other former players who faced mental health challenges later in life. 

Lemieux appeared at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday, serving as a torch bearer ahead of Game Three between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL Eastern Conference finals.

"The ​National Hockey League mourns the passing of Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one ​of the greatest big-game players in hockey history," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in ⁠a statement.

Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Lemieux was drafted by the Canadiens in 1983 and in the 1986 ​playoffs scored a team-leading 10 goals in 20 games to help Montreal win the Stanley Cup.

Lemieux later joined ​the New Jersey Devils and played an integral role in their 1995 Stanley Cup win, scoring 13 goals in 20 postseason games to earn the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

He went on to win the Stanley Cup with the Colorado ​Avalanche in 1996 and again with the Devils in 2000.

“Today is a dark day for the Canadiens ​family and the entire hockey community," Canadiens president Geoff Molson said in a statement.

"I wish to express my most sincere ‌and deepest ⁠condolences to Claude’s family and loved ones. A fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors."

The Devils said in a statement that the club was deeply saddened by the news of Lemieux's death.

"A clutch player ​on the ice and greatly ​appreciated by Devils' fans ⁠off it, Claude's impact in bringing the first-ever Stanley Cup to New Jersey will forever be remembered as one of the paramount performances in team history," the ​Devils said.

Lemieux registered 379 goals and 407 assists in 1,215 career NHL regular-season ​games, adding ⁠80 goals and 78 assists in 234 playoff games.