Former Ranger Chris Nilan forward offered a touching goodbye message to his late teammate Claude Lemieux died after he committed suicide at the age of 60.
Nilan re-shared a photo from Monday of the two inside Montreal’s Bell Centre ahead of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final series between the Canadiens and Hurricanes.
Lemieux served as the torch carrier for the Canadiens’ 3-2 loss.
“You never know when you’re going to see someone for the last time Rest in Peace MonAmi,” Nolan posted, with the last word translating to “my friend” in French.
Nilan and Lemieux played together for the Canadiens for four-plus seasons, beginning in the 1983-84 season until the 1988 trade that sent Nilan to the Rangers.
They helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup in the 1985-86 season, the only Cup Nilan won in his career and one of four Lemieux enjoyed in his 21 seasons.
It appeared the two remained friendly 40-plus years later, with Nilan originally posting Monday the photo from Game 3 featuring the two sandwiching former teammate Sergio Momesso.
“Go Habs go,” Nilan wrote.
Lemeiux’s tragic death has shocked the NHL community, with Nilan joining those remembering him, including former teammate Joe Sakic, rival Darren McCarthy and son and ex-NHLer Brandon.
TMZ reported Thursday that the former Devils hero died by suicide.
One of his sons found him around 3 a.m. in the warehouse of the Lake Park, Fla. furniture store owned by Lemieux and his wife Deborah — Andros Home, per wpbf.com — after those close to him became worried that he had not come home, according to TMZ and The Athletic.
Lemieux began his career with Montreal before heading to the Devils and then the Avalanche, winning two and one Cups with the franchises, respectively — and also played for the Coyotes, Stars and Sharks.
He scored 379 goals and tallied 407 assists in 1,215 career games.
“Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community. I wish to express my most sincere and deepest condolences to Claude’s family and loved ones,” the Canadiens said via Geoff Molson, the owner and CEO of Groupe CH. “A fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous, and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors. He embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day.”
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.
