Claude Lemieux's children break their silence after father's tragic passing.

The hockey world has been in mourning since the shocking news that Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup winner and one of the most fiercely competitive players of his generation, was found dead at the young age 60. In the days since his passing on May 28, there has been an overwhelming outpouring of tributes from fans, former teammates, and public figures but the most poignant voices on this tragedy are those of Lemieux's own children, who have begun sharing their pain and love for their father publicly.

Well known to many hockey fans is former National Hockey League forward Brendan Lemieux, who played over 300 games in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes, and he shared a heart wrenching message in which he mentioned his own son, Claude Lemieux's grandchild.

"I love you dad!" wrote Brendan via Instagram. "My son’s favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you."

Christopher Lemieux had a heart wrenching message of his own, lamenting the fact that he wouldn't get to enjoy another moment with his father.

"Sometimes life has a brutal way of reminding you to appreciate what you have before it becomes a memory," wrote Christopher on Friday. "I’ll miss you dad."

Claudia Lemieux shared a message via her Instagram story in another example of just how much this tragedy has devastated the Lemieux family.

"No words to express the level of devastation we feel," wrote Claudia." I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl."

Claudia's husband, Hunter Bishop, had a lovely message of his own to share.

"Rest in peace to a truly amazing man," wrote Hunter. "Words can’t even begin to describe how much you meant to everyone. Love you big man."

In the comments there was a beautiful message from a Detroit Red Wings fan, whose city was at the center of one of hockey's most heated rivalries with Claude Lemieux's Colorado Avalanche in the late 90s and early 2000s, they wrote "He gave us such a run for our money on the ice. I'm so, so saddened that he was in such pain. My heart aches for your family."

The devastating circumstances of his passing

The details surrounding Lemieux's death have only deepened the heartbreak felt by his loved ones and the broader hockey community. According to reports, one of his adult sons discovered him in the early morning hours at a warehouse area behind the family's furniture business in Florida. The family had grown increasingly concerned when Lemieux did not come home that evening, prompting the search that led to the devastating discovery at around 3 a.m. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the death, which has been ruled a suicide. It has not been revealed which of his three sons found him.

The tragedy is made all the more surreal by the fact that Lemieux had been visibly active and seemingly in good spirits just days earlier. He had served as the ceremonial torch bearer for the Montreal Canadiens during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at the Bell Centre, an appearance that now seems very surreal in light of what has transpired.

Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson described the news as "a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community," praising Lemieux as a man who embodied everything it meant to wear the Canadiens' jersey.

A legacy that transcended the ice

Selected 26th overall by Montreal in the 1983 draft, Lemieux built a 21-year career that made him one of the most polarizing and successful players in NHL history. His first championship came in 1986 alongside a young Patrick Roy as a member of the Montreal Canadiens. After joining the New Jersey Devils, he became the heart of their postseason success, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy on his way to his second Stanley Cup championship in 1995 after scoring 13 playoff goals. He later won titles with two different franchises, capturing the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 1996 before returning to the Devils for a fourth Stanley Cup ring in 2000.

Lemieux recorded 379 goals and 407 assists for a total of 786 points during his 1215 game NHL career, but that wasn't what he was most known for. He also accumulated 1,777 penalty minutes, a reflection of the relentless, physical style that made him both beloved and despised depending on which side of the rivalry a fan stood. He was famously known for befriending penalty box attendants around the league, a fitting detail for a player who spent considerable time there.

As the Lemieux family continues to navigate this unimaginably painful period, the messages from his children and those closest to him serve as a reminder that behind the fierce competitor was a father, a husband, and a man who meant the world to the people around him. The hockey community continues to rally around the family, offering love and support during the darkest of times.

My most sincere condolences go out to those impacted by this terrible tragedy.