Exclusive | Family of former New York Rangers player Ron Duguay say he has cancer, launches GoFundMe

Hockey legend Ron Duguay has dropped his gloves for one more fight.

The ex-New York Rangers heartthrob, who’s dating former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, is battling cancer, his family has announced.

They’ve turned to GoFundMe to help cover the soaring costs of his treatment.

Duguay’s daughters have launched an online fundraiser seeking $26,000 for the Canadian hockey pro, who played six seasons in New York in the 1970s and 1980s and later became an analyst for MSG Network.

Ron Duguay played played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1977 through 1989, including six seasons with the NY Rangers. FilmMagic

“Because of his cancer, he hasn’t been able to work the way he normally would,” his daughter Shay writes on the fundraising page. “Earlier in his treatment journey, the care he received in Florida nearly cost him his life. That led us to bring him to Orange County, where my sister and I live, so he could receive treatment here.”

His daughter Shay explains that the move now requires Duguay to fly from Florida to Orange County every two weeks for ongoing care.

“The cost of constant travel, along with medical care, holistic therapies, supplements, and alternative healing approaches he has committed to, has become extremely overwhelming financially,” she writes.

He has been battling cancer, which started in his colon, for a year.

His family has started a Go Fund Me to help with costs.

According to the fundraiser, the family is also “exploring additional treatment options outside of the United States in hopes of giving him the best possible chance,” noting that the therapies are “very expensive and add another layer of financial strain during an already difficult time.”

Duguay tells us he has been battling cancer for a year. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, which started in the colon. He tells us that he has since lost his appendix and gallbladder.

Duguay is dating former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Duguay tells us that it’s his daughters who pushed for the fundraiser, noting when we called that he didn’t want to advertise, but told them to do what they felt was best.

“I find it extremely hard asking for funds for all these costs I’m going through,” he tells us. “Normally I’m helping others.”

Duguay says cancer “sucks the life out of you,” and that it’s “so freaking costly.”

Duguay tells Page Six he has lost his appendix and gallbladder.

While Duguay, who has been through chemo, tells us he is continuing with Western Medicine, he is also exploring alternative options.

He tells us that his numbers recently spiked again and at this point he feels he needs to “dig deep” and explore all options that he can.

“I am going to do all the alternative along with the Western medicine,” he says. “What I am learning I will be able to share with others.” 

“I need to get better so I can help others,” he told us.

An emotional video posted to Instagram shows Duguay in various hospital beds, holding medical scans and using a walker. The montage also features touching moments with family members — and his girlfriend, Palin.

He is hoping to travel abroad for alternative treatment.

“He is doing everything he possibly can,” reads the caption, which goes on to list a number of approaches, some which are not backed by the scientific community. “From Living Antioxidant Water, blood ozone therapy, IV vitamin drips, ivermectin, methylene blue, and countless holistic approaches, while also continuing City of Hope’s chemo protocol and undergoing major surgery on both his liver and colon. He is all in. Every single day. And through it all, his faith has never wavered.”

It has been known that Duguay was dealing with some form of illness for some time.

When Palin was in New York City in April 2025 for her defamation retrial against The New York Times over a 2017 editorial, the couple attended a Rangers game, though Duguay skipped opening statements.

Duguay helped lead the Rangers to a Stanley Cup win in 1979. WireImage

He has said the Rangers were his favorite team to play for. In 2009, he and Rod Gilbert taught Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb some hockey moves on the Today Show. Angela Cranford/MSG Photos

When asked where he was, Palin told reporters at the time, “Oh, he’s battling a health issue right now, but otherwise very well.” (She lost the case.)

Duguay previously co-hosted the New York Post Sports podcast “Up In The Blue Seats.”

In addition to the Rangers, he played for the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Los Angeles Kings.