Claude Lemieux’s family says his brain will be donated to Boston University’s CTE Center to study the long-term effects of repetitive brain injuries. Lemieux died by suicide at 60, authorities said, after earlier serving as the Montreal Canadiens’ torchbearer
Claude Lemieux is gone, but his family wants the science to keep searching.
In a statement released Saturday by his daughter, Claudia Lemieux Bishop, the family said Lemieux’s brain will be donated to the Boston University CTE Center. The purpose is to research the long-term effects of repetitive brain injuries.
Lemieux died of suicide at age 60 on Thursday, according to authorities. Earlier in the week, he served as the Montreal Canadiens’ torchbearer prior to a playoff game.
Lemieux’s NHL career spanned nearly 1,500 games with six teams from 1983–2009. He was known for a hard-hitting style and for finding ways to perform in big games on the road to winning the Stanley Cup four times.
The family said it has given the CTE Center permission to publicly share any findings with Lemieux’s name. They also stressed that no conclusions should be drawn about any diagnosis.
“Claude dedicated his post-playing career to helping the next generation,” the family said, referring to Lemieux becoming an agent. “By allowing his name to be connected to this research. we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding. more honest conversations and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead.”.
The next chapter for Lemieux will be written in a lab, but the message his family attached to the decision is unmistakable: they want his name linked to research and to conversations that could change protections for players and their families.
Claude Lemieux Boston University CTE Center brain donation CTE research repetitive brain injuries Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup NHL suicide death
So they’re studying his brain… after suicide? That feels messed up.
I don’t get how CTE research works if they say not to draw conclusions. Like what are they even confirming then?
Wait, didn’t he play hockey and hit people a lot? Sounds like the league just keeps acting surprised every time a former enforcer ends up struggling.
CTE has been everywhere in the news, but I swear folks focus on the diagnosis part and ignore the suicide itself. Also Boston U doing it means it’ll take years and they’ll probably blame concussions for everything, even if mental health is bigger. I remember he was a Canadiens torchbearer? That just makes it sadder like he was still a “role model” then it ends like this. Prayers to the family but I wish they would’ve done this sooner.