Claude Lemieux's family pays tribute to NHL champion who died days after Canadiens torch ceremony

The NHL and greater sports world continues to mourn the loss of two-time Stanley Cup champion [Claude Lemieux](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nhl-great-claude-lemieux-60-dead-days-making-apperance-eastern-conference-final), who died on Thursday. He was 60. Lemieux’s death came as a surprise, as he carried the torch at the [Montreal Canadiens’](https://www.foxnews.com/category/sports/nhl/montreal-canadiens) home arena Monday before the team’s Game 3 matchup against the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final. In his red and blue Canadiens sweater, No. 32, Lemieux smiled and carried a flame toward a darkened rink. Tributes quickly poured in as news of Lemieux’s death spread, with his daughter among those who remembered one of hockey’s most respected — and polarizing — figures. [**CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM**](https://www.foxnews.com/sports) After reposting a [New Jersey Devils](https://www.foxnews.com/category/sports/nhl/new-jersey-devils) tribute to her father on Instagram Stories, Claudia Lemieux shared a heartfelt message of her own. "No words to express the level of devastation we feel. I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl." Claude Lemieux’s son, Brendan, also honored his father by sharing a photo featuring three generations of the family on social media. "I love you dad! My son’s favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you," [he wrote](https://www.instagram.com/p/DY5f13qy9QZ) along with a red heart emoji. Brendan inherited his father’s passion for hockey and went on to spend a decade in the NHL, most recently playing for Carolina during the 2023-24 season. [**KEN DRYDEN, HALL OF FAME GOALIE AND 'MIRACLE ON ICE' BROADCASTER, DEAD AT 78**](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ken-dryden-miracle-ice-broadcaster-hall-fame-goalie-dead-78) Lemieux authored one of the most famous goals in Canadiens history as a rookie in 1986, slipping a backhander over Hartford goaltender Mike Liut’s glove and into the top corner in Game 7 of the second round. Lemieux grew up in Mont-Laurier in western Quebec. Former Canadiens center Doug Gilmour said Lemieux possessed the rare ability to frustrate opponents while earning the respect of teammates, a trait that stood out during the 1989 [Stanley Cup Final.](https://www.foxnews.com/category/sports/stanley-cup-playoffs) "He was a pain in the a- to play against, but you wanted him on your team." **_Follow Fox News Digital’s_** [sports coverage on X](https://twitter.com/FoxNewsSports_)**_, and subscribe to_** [the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter](https://www.foxnews.com/newsletters)**_._**