Frederik Andersen struggled to contain his emotions after he helped the Carolina Hurricanes reach the Stanley Cup final - just two days after the death of his agent, NHL legend Claude Lemieux. Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the most controversial players in hockey history, died by suicide in the early hours of Thursday morning. He was 60.
His passing has left the hockey world in mourning, with President Trump among those to pay tribute to a 'true legend' of hockey. On Friday night, Lemieux was honored by the Hurricanes ahead of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Montreal Canadiens.
Only four days earlier, Lemieux had served as the ceremonial 'torch bearer' for the Canadiens at the Bell Centre before Game 3. The 60-year-old had worked as a player agent, with Andersen among his first clients. The Hurricanes goaltender had described him as 'like family.'
On Friday night, following his team's 6-1 win over the Canadiens at the Lenovo Center, Andersen was mobbed by his teammates before opening up on the heartache of recent days. After reaching the first Stanley Cup final of his career, the goalkeeper was asked what Lemieux's message would be.
'Just go get it,' he said. 'He's the ultimate competitor but he has the biggest heart. He wants it so much for me and for this team.' Andersen continued: 'It's been a difficult couple of days but the way we showed up - today and the last couple of days - for the team and each other has been incredible. I can't [say] enough good things about this team and the way they supported me.'
Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said on Friday morning that they wanted to win for Andersen. 'We're a family - you can't really say much more,' the goalkeeper said. 'It's so special to be able to show up for him and make him proud. To go out and battle and the whole team supported me as well... it's been so special to be part of.'
Before the game, the Lenovo Center paid tribute to Lemieux with a moment of remembrance. '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 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 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. 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.
