Hurricanes’ Frederik Andersen issues Claude Lemeiux statement after tragic death

The entire hockey world was stunned Thursday by the untimely passing of Claude Lemieux. A four-time Stanley Cup Champion, Lemieux died by suicide just days after serving as the Montreal Canadiens torch bearer in Game 3 of the East Final. Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen was a client of Lemieux’s and issued a statement on his passing.

A statement from Frederik Andersen pic.twitter.com/ObB4MRryS3

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 31, 2026

“Claude made an unimaginable impact on me during the more than 15 years that he was a part of my life,” Andersen wrote. “I almost feel sorry for people who didn’t have an opportunity to get to know him beyond his achievements and impact on the ice. As phenomenal as his hockey career was, he was an even better human being. From day one, he made me feel like I was a part of his family – treating me with care, compassion, loyalty, and love as if I was his own son,” Andersen wrote.

The Hurricanes goalie continued, offering his sympathy to Claude’s wife, Deborah, and their children.

Andersen is in his 13th NHL season and fifth as the goalie of the Hurricanes. Despite some poor playoff performances in past years, Carolina has stuck with him as the starter. That worked out this year, as he has led them to the Stanley Cup Final. In Friday’s Game 5, the first one after Lemieux’s passing, Andersen made 23 saves in a 6-1 win to clinch the Cup Final berth.

Lemieux was best known for his playing career, but was a successful agent for many years afterwards. According to PuckPedia, he was the agent for many high-profile NHL players, including Rasmus Andersson, Moritz Seider, and Joel Eriksson Ek.

After his passing, Lemieux’s brain was donated to the Boston University CTE Center and Brain Bank. The scientists there will determine whether he had CTE at the time of his passing. The NHL has yet to acknowledge a link between brain injuries and CTE.

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