President Donald Trump paid tribute to late NHL star Claude Lemieux on Thursday, remembering him as both a hockey legend and a longtime family friend after news of Lemieux’s death shocked the sports world.

In a message shared on Truth Social, Trump called Lemieux “a true Legend of the Game” and praised the former NHL forward for his toughness and success on the ice. The tribute came just hours after reports confirmed that Lemieux had died at the age of 60. The four-time Stanley Cup champion was one of the NHL’s most feared playoff performers and remained a well-known name in hockey years after his retirement. Trump wrote, “Claude Lemieux, a true Legend of the Game, and one of the fiercest competitors Hockey has ever seen, has passed away.

Claude was a friend to the family, and a tremendous ‘TRUMP’ supporter.” The U.S. president also shared a personal message for Claude Lemieux’s family, especially his son Brendan Lemieux, who played seven NHL seasons of his own. “Brendan, my thoughts are with you, Deborah, and the whole Lemieux family.

You and your Dad were Warriors on the Ice. Claude will be missed by all who love Winning and Toughness.”

Donald Trump joins hockey world in honoring Claude Lemieux after four Stanley Cup career

Claude Lemieux built one of the most memorable careers in NHL history.

Across 21 seasons, he played for six franchises and became known for stepping up in the biggest games. He won Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche, making him one of only a small group of players to win championships with three different teams. He also finished his career with 80 playoff goals, which still ranks among the highest totals in NHL history.

As tributes continued to pour in, Brendan Lemieux shared an emotional Instagram post alongside a photo of his father and young son.

He wrote, “I love you dad! My son’s favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you ♥️.” The hockey community also remembered Lemieux’s impact on the sport. Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson called his death “a dark day” for the organization and described him as “a fierce competitor” who represented the spirit of the Canadiens during his career. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also honored him as one of hockey’s greatest big-game players. Lemieux is survived by his wife Deborah and their children Brendan, Claudia, Christopher, and Michael. His death has left fans, former teammates, and the wider hockey community mourning one of the sport’s most unforgettable playoff stars.