WASHINGTON — EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
Claude Lemieux’s brain is being donated to the Boston University CTE Center to research the long-term effects of repetitive brain injuries, his family said Saturday in a statement released by daughter Claudia Lemieux Bishop.
Lemieux died of suicide at age 60 on Thursday, according to authorities, after earlier in the week serving as the Montreal Canadiens' torchbearer prior to a playoff game. He played nearly 1,500 NHL games with six teams from 1983-2009 and was known for his hard-hitting style and ability to perform in big games on the way to winning the Stanley Cup four times.
The family said it gave the CTE Center permission to publicly share any findings with Lemieux's name, adding that no conclusions should be drawn regarding any diagnosis.
“Claude dedicated his post-playing career to helping the next generation,” the family said, referring to Lemieux becoming an agent. “By allowing his name to be connected to this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead.”
The Palm Beach County Sherriff’s Office said May 28 that deputies responded just after 3 a.m. to the scene of an apparent suicide at the family’s furniture store in Lake Park, Florida. The office said the victim was believed to be Lemieux, who was found in a rear warehouse by one of his sons.
The NHL Alumni Association announced Lemieux’s death in a post on social media.
As a player, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Lemieux was a bruising mix of talent and abrasiveness, not afraid to cross the line in the name of competition over 21 seasons in the NHL. He wound up with nearly 400 goals, about the same number of assists and nearly 1,800 penalty minutes, the epitome of a guy you wanted on your team but dreaded facing on the ice.
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