The hockey world is in mourning as Claude Lemieux passed away, the NHL Alumni Association announced Thursday. Lemieux was respected as one of the great Stanley Cup Playoff competitors of his generation. Let’s look back at his career in the highest level of hockey, and the impact he left.
Perry Mah/Edmonton Sun/QMI Agency
Former Montreal Canadien Claude Lemieux Passed Away at Age 60
Statement from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on the death of Claude Lemieux: pic.twitter.com/MM9x73HTpl
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Lemieux was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He had still not met the requirements as an NHL rookie when he won his first of four Stanley Cup Championships back in 1986, while playing for the Habs. He had a huge impact that year with 16 points in 20 games.
Montreal fans for their current run, will be saddened as he had been a torch bearer at Monday’s Eastern Conference Finals game versus the Carolina Hurricanes.
As it was announced Claude Lemieux passed away, fans of NHL hockey from the 1990s remember his major contributions to one of the fiercest rivalries, of not only that era, but maybe of all time. He was a member of the Colorado Avalanche for four memorable Stanley Cup Playoff runs, including their 1996 championship. In three of those playoff runs, the Avs came up against the powerful Detroit Red Wings. There were many well-known run-ins for Lemieux will some of the grittier foes with the Wings. Guys like Darren McCarty and Kris Draper were some of the worthy combatants, and it really helped to lead a generation of hockey fans of what it meant by hard-nosed hockey and intense playoff showdowns. Guys that would do anything to make sure their team came out on top of that best-of-seven series.
Looking Back at Lemieux Statistical Highlights
Some of his career statistical highlights include being a 10-time, 20-goal scorer, with a career high of 41 goals in the 1991-92 season as a member of the New Jersey Devils. All told, in 21 career NHL seasons, he played in over 1200 career NHL regular season games, recording 379 goals, 407 assists, for a total of 786 points.
However, as we look back after the news that Claude Lemieux passed away, as we have alluded, it was his playoff performances where he will truly be remembered. On top of the four Cups, he was awarded the 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy as a member of the New Jersey Devils. He appeared in the playoffs with six different franchises throughout his career for a total of 234 career games. His 158 career playoff points ranks him 27th on the all-time list, tied with active player Brad Marchand.
Lemieux’s intensity was truly one of a kind, and will be remembered as guy who was willing to do whatever it takes to win come playoff time.
Times Photo by: Fraser Hale
