Devils great Ken Daneyko pays touching tribute to Claude Lemieux after passing

The NHL world is mourning the passing of four-time Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux, who tragically died by an apparent suicide at the age of 60 earlier this week. His family is experiencing overwhelming sorrow at this time, and the same can be said for those who shared the ice with him for years on end. Former New Jersey Devils defenseman Ken Daneyko posted a heartfelt message in honor of his fellow franchise great.

“I would like to remember not only a remarkable teammate, but a truly extraordinary friend,” the three-time champ and 1999-2000 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner expressed on X. “He brought strength, loyalty, laughter and heart to every room and every game.

“He was the kind of person everyone wanted beside them – dependable, encouraging, and always willing to lift others up. As a teammate, he agitated the opponent like no other and hell, even agitated us at times. But that was Pep and why we embraced him.. because we loved it and he was more than an integral part of our championship teams. To be honest, he was the man!”

Claude Lemieux impacted many people

Ken Daneyko and Claude Lemieux spent six years together, which resulted in two championships and countless memories. The career Devils player also highlighted his former teammate’s elite ability to come through in the clutch, praising his inspirational “quiet confidence,” which permeated the squad during big moments. Lemieux claimed Conn Smythe Trophy honors in 1995 and finished with 80 goals and 78 assists in 234 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Besides helping New Jersey win hockey’s most coveted prize in 1995 and 2000, the Quebec native also accomplished the feat with the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. He will forever be enshrined in NHL history as one of the greatest postseason performers of all-time.

“But beyond the accomplishments and victories, what we will remember most is the person he was, the husband he was, and the father and grandfather he was – genuine, caring, humble, and deeply loved,” Daneyko continued. “His impact reached far beyond the ice, or team. Personally, when I went through struggles of my own, he was the first person I would think of to call because I knew he would be there for me, because as a friend, he gave even more.

“His loss leaves a space that cannot be filled, but his memory will continue to live on in every story shared, every laugh remembered, and every moment we carry him with us in our hearts. We will always keep Deborah and the family in our thoughts and prayers. We were lucky to know him, lucky to stand beside him, and lucky to call him our friend. Rest easy Pep, you will never be forgotten.”

Ken Daneyko and the Devils will try to cherish the good moments during this grieving process.

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