Claude Lemieux’s family is donating his brain to the Boston University CTE Center for research into the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury, they announced Saturday.
The former NHL agitator was found dead earlier this week in Palm Beach, Fla., at age 60.
Lemieux played 21 seasons of professional hockey, appearing in more than 1,400 games before his retirement in 2009. He was known for playing a physical, on-the-edge style and was involved in 36 fights during his NHL career, according to hockeyfights.com.
In announcing the donation of his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank — the preeminent research group on concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, the progressive, degenerative brain disease found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma more commonly known as CTE — the Lemieux family said they hoped Claude’s life could continue to help others.
“The family emphasizes that this decision is a gift to science, to athletes and to future generations of families seeking answers. No conclusion should be drawn at this time regarding any diagnosis.”
News of Lemieux’s death shocked the hockey world. He made a public appearance Monday for a pregame torch ceremony at the Bell Centre before the Montreal Canadiens faced the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final, and put the finishing touches on a contract for a client in his role as a player agent on Tuesday.
The NHL Alumni Association announced his death early Thursday afternoon.
When asked about Lemieux’s death, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told The Athletic that deputies responded early Thursday morning to a suicide attempt at a furniture showroom, which state records show is in Lake Park, Fla., and is owned by Lemieux and his wife, Deborah. The Sheriff’s Office secured the business for investigation. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Lemieux’s death but declined to release any records, citing a Florida statute exempting suicide cases from public records requirements.
Lemieux’s family said they’ve given permission for the CTE Center to identify him by name in connection with his donation and any findings it may publicly share in accordance with its research protocol.
He spent 16 years working on behalf of players as an agent after ending his own playing career.
“Claude dedicated his post-play career to helping the next generation,” said the Lemieux family statement. “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.”
Earlier this week, Boston University announced that former Bruins enforcer Lyndon Byers has been diagnosed with stage 3 CTE following his death at age 61 last year. That brought the total number of NHL players with CTE studied at the university to 19 out of 20.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
