Former Hockey star and four-time Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux dies at age 60

Former Canadian hockey star and four-time Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux died Thursday at the age of 60-years-old.

Lemieux, who played in the National Hockey League for 21 seasons, was known for his competitive spirit and for building a career by playing on the edge. 

No cause of death has been confirmed so far, but the New York Times indicated the death was a suicide. 

He was most recently the Montreal Canadiens' torchbearer on Monday, prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Bell Center, according to CBS News. 

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

"He embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player," he continued. "Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day."

The 60-year-old first won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1986, and then again in 1995 with the New Jersey Devils. He won the third title in 1996 with the Colorado Avalanche, before securing the final cup when he returned to the Devils in 2000.

"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 in a statement. "Widely respected throughout the NHL, both as a trusted agent and a valued colleague, Claude leaves behind a lasting legacy within our game that he gave so much to."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.