The death of legendary hockey player Claude Lemieux came as a shock to his family, friends, and numerous fans. After the tragedy, the athlete's loved ones made a decision that they hope will help scientists better understand the consequences of sports injuries and protect future generations of players.
The body of the outstanding athlete was discovered by his son in a storage area of the family furniture store. It was later revealed that Lemieux took his own life. The information about his death was confirmed by the NHL Alumni Association.
"He was loved by his wife and four children, and on behalf of the Lemieux family, we ask everyone to respect their privacy during this difficult time. Details about the memorial service will be announced later," the organization stated.
Hockey fans, shocked by his sudden passing, expressed their condolences to the family. Donald Trump also weighed in.
"Claude Lemieux has passed away - a true hockey legend and one of the fiercest competitors this sport has ever seen. Claude was a friend of our family and a great supporter of Trump. He won four Stanley Cups with three different teams - the 'Montreal', 'New Jersey', and 'Colorado'. His 80 playoff goals over his career place him among the greatest players of all time. Brendan, my thoughts are with you, Deborah, and the entire Lemieux family - you and your father were true warriors on the ice. All who value victory and resilience will miss Claude," the U.S. president wrote.
After the athlete's death, his family decided to donate the hockey player's brain to a university center for the study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy - a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head injuries. Researchers have also been granted permission to publish the study results.
"Claude dedicated his post-playing career to helping the next generation, he worked as an agent. By allowing his name to be associated with this research, we hope that his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations, and better protection for athletes and families in the years to come," the family's statement was conveyed to the Associated Press.
Even after his career ended, Claude Lemieux continues to contribute to the development of hockey and the care of athletes, bb.lv reports. His family hopes that the research results will help draw attention to the issue of the consequences of repeated head injuries and will be a step towards improving safety in professional sports.
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