Claude Lemieux family donates brain for study: Latest on NHL legend's death

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Claude Lemieux family donates brain for study: Latest on NHL legend's death

Claude Lemieux family donates brain for study: Latest on NHL legend's death

Mike Brehm, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Sun, May 31, 2026 ·

5 min read

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The family of late NHL player Claude Lemieux has released a statement, saying they are donating his brain for study and asking for "compassion" in reporting his death.

Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup winner, died on Thursday, May 28, at age 60 in a warehouse of a furniture showroom that the family owned in Florida .

"The family recognizes that there has been public reporting about the circumstances of Claude's death," said the family statement, which was shared by his son, Brendan, a 2014 second-round NHL draft pick. "Suicide is complex, and the family asks media and the public to discuss this loss with care, compassion and respect for those who loved him.

"Anyone in crisis or emotional distress in the United States can call or text 988 for confidential support from the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline."

Here's the latest on the death of Claude Lemieux:

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Remembering Claude Lemieux’s NHL career in photos

Claude Lemieux ’s NHL career was marked by playoff performances and key moments across multiple teams.

See the moments that trace Lemieux’s path through a long career on the ice, including his role in defining games.

Above, Goaltender Mike Richter of the USA stops Claude Lemieux of Canada on a breakaway in the third period the World Cup of Hockey at Molson Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1996. Richter made 35 saves in the game and was voted the tournament's MVP.

(Glenn Cratty, Getty Images)

Claude Lemieux of Canada and Keith Tkachuk of the USA go at each other after a fight broke out 20 seconds into the first period of the USA- Canada World Cup of Ice Hockey at the CoreStates Center in Philadelphia. USA defeated Canada.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

Right wing Claude Lemieux of the Colorado Avalanche in action during a game against the New Jersey Devils at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado in 1997. The Devils won the game 4-1.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)

Rightwinger Claude Lemieux of the Colorado Avalanche in action during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at the McNichols Sports Arena in 1997 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche lost to the Kings 4-2.
(Nevin Reid, Getty Images)

Right wing Claude Lemieux of the Colorado Avalanche in action during a game against the New Jersey Devils in 1997.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)

Claude Lemieux of the Colorado Avalanche controls the puck during the game against the Nashville Predators at the McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado in 1997. The Avalanche defeated the Predators 3-1.
(Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)

Right wing Claude Lemieux of the Colorado Avalanche in action during a game against the Boston Bruins at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado in 1997.
(Brian Bahr, Getty Images)

Right wing Claude Lemieux, left wing Waleri Kamensky of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate during a playoff game against the Detroit Red wings at the McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado. The Red wings won the game 4-2.
(Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)

Right wing Claude Lemieux of the Colorado Avalanche in action during a game against the Calgary Flames at the McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado in 1998. The Flames won the game 3-1.
(Brian Bahr, Getty Images)

Right wing Claude Lemieux of the Colorado Avalanche in action during a game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York in 1998. The teams won the game 2-2.
(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)

Claude Lemieux of the New Jersey Devils skates on the ice during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey in 1999. The Devils defeated the Flyers 2-1.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

Right winger Claude Lemieux of the New Jersey Devils takes a shot against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period of Game 1 of their NHL semi-final game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2000. The Maple Leafs won the game 2-1.
(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)

Claude Lemieux of the New Jersey Devils celebrates with the Stanley Cup Trophy as he skates around the rink after winning the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals game against the Dallas Stars at Reunion Arena on June 10, 2000, in Dallas, Texas.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)

Claude Lemieux of the New Jersey Devils and Scott Gomez celebrate with the Stanley Cup Trophy after winning the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals game against the Dallas Stars at Reunion Arena on June 10, 2000, in Dallas, Texas.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)

Right wing Claude Lemieux #22 of the Phoenix Coyotes waits for the puck during the NHL game against the Torono Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada in 2001. The Leafs defeated the Coyotes 6-3.
(Dave Sandford, Getty Images/NHLI)

Right wing Claude Lemieux of the Phoenix Coyotes pins right wing Ryan VandenBussche of the Chicago Blackhawks against the boards during NHL action at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois in 2002.
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)

Claude Lemieux of the Dallas Stars poses for a portrait on September 15, 2003, at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
(Getty Images, Getty Images)

Claude Lemieux of the San Jose Sharks warms up before playing the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 15, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Sharks 6-5.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)

Claude Lemieux of the San Jose Sharks warms up against the Anaheim Ducks during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 21, 2009, in Anaheim, California.
(Harry How, Getty Images)

Claude Lemieux of the San Jose Sharks looks on against the Anaheim Ducks during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 21, 2009, in Anaheim, California.
(Harry How, Getty Images)

Former Monreal Canadien Claude Lemieux skates during the Centennial Celebration ceremonies prior to the NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins on December 4, 2009, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Bruins 5-1.
(Richard Wolowicz, Getty Images)

Former New Jersey Devils player Claude Lemieux is introduced during a ceremony honoring the 1995 Stanley Cup Championship team before the game between the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers on March 8, 2015, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
(Elsa, Getty Images)

The 1995 New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup championship team is honored before the game between the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers at Prudential Center.
(Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports)

Cammi Granato of the USA Legends celebrates her goal with Claude Lemieux #22 of the Canada Legends at the Legends Classic Hockey Game at the Air Canada Centre on November 7, 2010, in Toronto, Canada.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)

Claude Lemieux of the Canada Legends enjoys a goal against of the USA Legends at the Legends Classic Hockey Game at the Air Canada Centre on November 7, 2010, in Toronto, Canada.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)

Family donating his brain for CTE study

The statement said the family will donate Lemieux's brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center for research into the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury.

"The family emphasizes that this decision is a gift to science, to athletes and to future generations of families seeking answers. No conclusion should be drawn at this time regarding any diagnosis," the statement reads.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. It has been found in posthumous studies of the brains of football and hockey players, most recently in former NHL tough guy Lyndon Byers , who died in July .

Who was Claude Lemieux?

Lemieux played 21 NHL seasons and won Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens (1986), New Jersey Devils (1995 and 2000) and Colorado Avalanche (1996). He was playoff MVP in 1995 after scoring 13 goals with the Devils.

He took part in Canadiens' torch-bearing ceremony on Monday, May 25, days before his death.

He also was a gritty player and agitator whose hit on Kris Draper in the 1996 playoffs left the Detroit Red Wings player with severe facial injuries and sparked a yearslong rivalry between the Red Wings and Avalanche.

After his retirement, he became a prominent player agent, representing Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen , Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and others.

"Claude was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and teammate," the family statement said. "To the hockey world, he was one of the game's most unforgettable competitors: a four-time Stanley Cup champion, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and one of the great playoff performers of all time. To his family, he was more than a hero: he was loving, loyal, funny, protective, and generous. He was stubborn, and he was completely devoted to the people he loved. He was adored by his family in turn.

"Claude was a passionate man. He brought that passion to the rink, to his work, to his friendships, and most of all to his family. He was fierce on the ice because he cared so deeply about winning, about his teammates, and about never giving less than everything he had. Away from the game, he was tender, loyal and full of life. He made us laugh, he showed up for us, and he loved his children and grandchildren with his whole heart."

Darren McCarty pays tribute to Claude Lemieux

Darren McCarty had fought Lemieux the season after his hit on Draper. He said he learned of Lemieux's death from Draper.

McCarty, who has done charity appearances with Lemieux, posted a tribute to Lemieux and also spoke about him on Woodward Sports.

"I'm a guy who has asked for redemption in a lot of ways in my life, and trying to prove that some of the things I've done in the past aren't who I am today," McCarty said. "Claude Lemieux is the one person in life who has proven to me that the guy on the ice wasn't the guy off the ice. He was loved very much. ...

"The best way for me to describe my feelings and whatever else, is that it's very sad. I'm very sad."

Frederik Andersen clinches Hurricanes series with heavy heart

Andersen, one of Lemieux's first clients as an agent, won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals to send the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006. He did so with a heavy heart after the death of Lemieux.

"I can't talk enough good things about this team and the way they've supported me," he told TNT . "It's been awesome."

The Hurricanes paid tribute to Lemieux with a public address announcement before the game.

Asked what Lemieux would say if he were still here, Andersen told TNT that his agent would tell him, "Just go get it."

"He's the ultimate competitor and he's got the biggest heart," the goalie said. "He wanted so much for me and this team."

The Hurricanes goalie later released a statement through the team in which he described the impact that Lemieux had on his life.

Claude Lemieux's children post heartfelt messages after father's death

Before the family statement, his children posted social media messages about their father.

Brendan Lemieux wrote on Instagram . "I love you dad. My son's favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you."

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