Tributes from the hockey world quickly began to appear on social media on Thursday after the news that former NHL star and four-time Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux had died. The NHL Alumni Association announced the news.Lemieux had appeared at Bell Centre in Montreal just three days earlier, for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens, when he carried a torch and participated in a pregame ceremony.Lemieux, long known as a physical agitator, played a big role in Montreal’s run to the Stanley Cup championship in 1986, when he scored 10 goals in 20 playoff games as a rookie. In 1995, Lemieux scored 13 goals in the New Jersey Devils’ run to their first championship in franchise history, and he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. Lemieux won championships again in 1996 (with Colorado) and 2000 (with the Devils again) and played, later in this career, for the Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks.On Thursday, teams and figures from the NHL world shared their reaction to Lemieux’s death and their memories of him.Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens' organization is shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Claude Lemieux at the age of 60. Our hearts go out to Claude's family and friends during this difficult time.
