Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the NHL’s most recognisable gritty forwards, has died at the age of 60, according to the NHL Alumni Association.

Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Lemieux built a long and successful professional hockey career that began when he broke into the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens in 1983.He was part of the Canadiens team that captured the Stanley Cup in 1986, marking the first major championship of his career.

Known for his physical style of play and ability to perform in high-pressure playoff situations, Lemieux went on to achieve further success with multiple teams.

He won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995 and 2000, and with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996, making him one of the few players to win championships with different franchises across different eras.

One of the defining moments of his career came in 1995, when Lemieux earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after scoring 13 goals in 20 post-season games for the Devils, underlining his reputation as a decisive postseason performer.Beyond his on-ice achievements, Lemieux remained a respected figure in the hockey community.

He was recently honoured at Montreal’s Bell Centre, where he participated in a ceremonial torch-bearing ahead of a Canadiens playoff game against the Carolina Hurricanes.His appearance was warmly received by fans, reflecting his lasting connection to the organisation where his NHL journey began.The cause of death has not been released.

His passing marks the loss of a significant figure in Canadian hockey history, remembered for both his championship pedigree and his intense competitive style.