Darren McCarty honors NHL rival Claude Lemieux in emotional tribute

The death of Claude Lemieux has sent shock waves around the NHL. The former Conn Smythe Trophy winner was honored by the Montreal Canadiens prior to Monday’s Eastern Conference Final Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes as he carried the torch in the pregame ceremony at the Bell Center.

Darren McCarty on Claude’s passing. The best rivalries exist because under it all is/was respect. pic.twitter.com/VecFNmEuUy

— Trevor McCue (@trevormccue) May 28, 2026

Lemieux died by suicide, according to the Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office. He was found in the warehouse of a furniture store showroom by one of his sons.

Many of his peers from his playing days as well as his rivals expressed their shock and disappointment over the 60-year-old’s shocking death.

One of the most meaningful messages came from former Detroit Red Wing Darren McCarty, who was involved in a notable brawl with Lemieux when he was a member of the Colorado Avalanche. The fight came when the two teams were battling for NHL superiority in 1996 and again the following year.

Lemieux checked Kris Draper from behind and injured the Red Wing badly. That triggered a brawl between the two teams a year later. McCarty engaged and battered Lemieux in a brutal takedown. The Colorad0-Detroit rivalry was considered one of the most hate-filled NHL conflicts of the past 30-plus years.

However, McCarty had a powerful message of sympathy for Lemieux’s family after he learned of his rival’s death.

“This is extremely sad no matter what feelings from past or present you hold,” McCarty tweeted. “My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends and people who got to see the person off the ice wasn’t the person on. As I’ve said and will always call it as I see it.”

Considering the ferocity of their battle, it was a touching and emotional message.

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