Brendan Lemieux, son of late NHL legend Claude Lemieux, spoke out after details from his father’s death report were published.
“Today, on my father Claude Lemieux’s birthday, several media outlets published articles filled with intimate details about the night he passed — some accurate, many complete fabrications,” Brendan, 30, shared via Instagram on Thursday, July 16. “This is the unfortunate reality of today’s media landscape: clicks and engagement are prioritized over truth, respect and basic human decency.”
Brendan, who played seven seasons in the NHL, said the hockey community is “different.”
“We have a backbone. We value loyalty, respect and family above all else, and we choose who and what we support,” he added. “I’m respectfully asking the hockey community to refrain from engaging with these speculative stories and give our family the space and dignity to grieve my recently passed father in private. In time, my family and I will share more about what happened in the hope that it may help others who are struggling.”
Brendan continued, “Until then, please honor Claude’s legacy by celebrating the life he lived — the fierce competitor, four-time Stanley Cup champion, the devoted father and grandfather, and the man who left an indelible mark on our game and so many of us.”
Claude died by suicide on May 28. He was 60.
The late NHL star is survived by his wife, Deborah, sons Brendan, Christopher and Michael, and daughter Claudia.
Brendan and his partner, Brookie, welcomed their son, Luc, in March 2025. Claudia and her husband, Hunter Bishop, welcomed a daughter in February.
Two days after Claude’s death, the Lemieux family issued a statement calling him “a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and teammate.”
“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,” the statement said. “To his family, he was more than a hero: he was loyal, loving, 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 played 21 seasons in the NHL from 1983 to 2009, most notably with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche.
The family’s statement continued, “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.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
