Key takeaways:
- Claude Lemieux died by suicide at age 60 and had his brain donated to the Boston University CTE Center.
- Lemieux played nearly 1,500 NHL games from 1983 to 2009 and won the Stanley Cup four times.
- The family authorized the CTE Center to share research findings publicly with Lemieux’s name, emphasizing no diagnosis should be assumed.
Claude Lemieux, a former NHL player known for his hard-hitting style and four Stanley Cup victories, has had his brain donated to the Boston University CTE Center for research into the long-term effects of repetitive brain injuries. Lemieux died by suicide at age 60 on Thursday, according to authorities. Earlier in the week, he served as the Montreal Canadiens’ torchbearer before a playoff game.
Lemieux played nearly 1,500 NHL games with six teams from 1983 to 2009. His family released a statement through his daughter, Claudia Lemieux Bishop, confirming the donation and granting the CTE Center permission to publicly share any findings with Lemieux’s name attached. They emphasized that no conclusions should be drawn regarding any diagnosis at this time.
“Claude dedicated his post-playing career to helping the next generation,” the family said, referring to his work as a player agent after retiring. “By allowing his name to be connected to this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead.”
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain condition caused by repeated head trauma and can only be diagnosed postmortem. Symptoms of CTE include memory loss, brain fog, aggression, mood swings, and depression.
The family’s announcement also included resources for those in crisis, providing contact information for suicide prevention and domestic violence hotlines in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and international support organizations.
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