Claude Lemieux's final public appearance at the Bell Centre is now being replayed across the hockey world after thefour-time Stanley Cup championdied at age 60 on 28 May.
Just days before his death, Lemieux walked onto the ice as the Montreal Canadiens' ceremonial torchbearer ahead of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes. Wearing a Canadiens jersey and raising the flaming torch before a roaring crowd, the former NHL star looked energetic and emotional – a moment fans are now calling heartbreaking in hindsight.
The ceremony took place Monday night at Montreal's Bell Centre, where Lemieux received a standing ovation from Canadiens fans before puck drop. The Canadiens later defeated the Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime, but the pregame tribute has now taken on a far deeper meaning following news of his death.
I can't help but think how on this day & the days after until today, he was likely deciding if waking up on those days was worth it.Check in on your loved ones, sometimes those who appear to be doing great are just deciding whether waking up was worth itpic.twitter.com/1FwlmENq5H
Videos of the moment quickly spread online after the NHL Alumni Association confirmed Lemieux's passing. Fans described the footage as 'surreal,' 'bittersweet,' and 'impossible to watch the same way now.'
Many pointed out how healthy and upbeat Lemieux appeared during the ceremony, with social media flooded by comments like, 'You never know what someone is going through,' and 'What a final goodbye to the fans.'
Authorities in Florida confirmed Lemieux died on 28 May after being found at a family-owned furniture warehouse in Lake Park. His death was ruled a suicide.
According to reports, one of his sons discovered him after authorities responded to a suicide attempt call early Thursday morning. Florida law limits the release of additional details in suicide investigations.
The timing of the tragedy stunned many in hockey circles because Lemieux had been publicly celebrating the Canadiens' playoff run only days earlier.
Although Claude Lemieux had not given a major interview in the days before his death, some of his comments from late 2025 are now being widely revisited by hockey fans.
Source: International Business Times UK
