The body of Claude Lemieux has been transferred from Florida to North Carolina for burial following his suicide, according to the NHL great's death certificate published by TMZ.
Lemieux's occupation is listed as 'hockey player' in the document, which was certified on Tuesday and filed in Florida. The four-time Stanley Cup champion was found by family at his family furniture company warehouse in Palm Beach County on Thursday. Officials say Lemieux died by hanging.
A beloved and controversial figure among NHL fans, Lemieux's passing left the hockey world in mourning, with President Trump among those paying tribute to a 'true legend' of the sport.
Just three days before his death, Lemieux served as the ceremonial 'torch bearer' for the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre before their Eastern Conference Final Game 3 matchup against the Hurricanes. On Friday night, the two teams met once more at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, with the Hurricanes honoring Lemieux before the game.
'The hockey world lost a great champion yesterday, with the passing of Claude Lemieux,' the arena announcer said. '[He was] known across the league as a fierce competitor, the winner of four Stanley Cups and known to our organization as a father and advisor.'
Lemieux carried the torch before Game 3 between the Canadiens and the Hurricanes. He won the 1986 Stanley Cup with the Canadiens as a rookie - his first of four titles. Lemieux was drafted by the Canadiens in 1983 and later won a Stanley Cup with the franchise, while his son, Brendan, played for the Hurricanes a few years ago. The 60-year-old also worked as an agent, with his clients including Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen, who recently described Lemieux as 'like family.'
The announcer continued: 'Claude left a lasting legacy on our great game. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and every player his life impacted.' A picture of Lemieux appeared on the jumbotron, prompting cheers and applause from the crowd in North Carolina.
According to the authorities, deputies responded just after 3am Thursday to the scene of an apparent suicide at the family's furniture store in Lake Park, Florida. Reports on Friday claimed Lemieux was found in a warehouse by one of his sons having hanged himself. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the most controversial players in history.
The former winger is survived by his wife Deborah and his four children - Claudia, 29, and sons Christopher, 37, Michael, 34, and Brendan, 30. It is unclear which of his sons found him on Thursday morning. Brendan, who played seven seasons in the NHL for five teams, honored his dad with a picture on social media showing three generations of the Lemieux family. 'I love you dad! My son's favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you,' he wrote alongside the photo. Christopher, meanwhile, said: 'Sometimes life has a brutal way of reminding you to appreciate what you have before it becomes a memory... I'll miss you dad.'
