President Trump called four-time Stanley Cup winner Claude Lemieux a “tremendous” supporter in a tribute to the NHL legend following his suicide death.
“Claude Lemieux, a true legend of the game, and one of the fiercest competitors hockey has ever seen, has passed away,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday.
“Claude was a friend to the family, and a tremendous ‘Trump’ supporter.”
Trump gushed over Lemieux’s achievements on the ice – particularly the four Stanley Cup wins he achieved with Montreal, New Jersey, and Colorado.
“Claude will be missed by all who love winning and toughness,” Trump signed off the post, including a MAGA hashtag.
Lemieux, 60, was found dead by his adult son in the warehouse of a furniture store owned by his family in Florida at around 3 a.m. after they became concerned he had not returned home, TMZ first reported.
Lemieux’s son Brendan, a professional ice hockey player in Switzerland, paid tribute to his dad on Instagram. He said, “I love you dad! My son’s favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you.”
Brendan, 30, shared a photo taken on the ice – where Claude was seen beaming as he held his grandson.
Brendan previously told USA Today in 2014 following the NHL draft that his dad was his “biggest role model on and off the ice.”
“I’m proud of the career he had,” he said.
“I’m proud of the way he played, how hated he was. I just love that about him. I definitely want to follow in his footsteps. I want to be the guy that can step up and be that playoff performer.”
The late NHL star’s daughter Claudia Lemieux, 28, shared a remembrance from the New Jersey Devils, for whom her dad played two stints from 1990 through 1995 and then again in 1999-2000.
“No words to express the level of devastation we feel,” she wrote under the post on her Instagram Story. “I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl.”
The Devils described Lemieux, who was nicknamed “Pepe,” as a “clutch player on the ice” and someone who was “widely respected throughout the NHL – both as a trusted agent and valued colleague.”
“Claude leaves behind a lasting legacy within our game that he gave so much to,” the Devils said.
During his stellar career, Lemieux won his first Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986 before scooping the prize with the New Jersey Devils in 1995 and Colorado Avalanche the following year.
He won his fourth Stanley Cup in 2000 after re-signing with the Devils.
Lemieux, who became a player agent after he retired, scored 80 postseason goals, the ninth-most all-time.
Lemieux recorded 379 goals and 407 assists in 1,215 regular-season games, and had 158 points in 234 playoff matches.
He played 1,449 regular-season and playoff games with six different teams from 1983-2009, finishing with Phoenix, Dallas and San Jose.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called Lemieux “one of the greatest big-game players in hockey history.”
With Post wires
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
