Gary Bettman, Darren McCarty share thoughts on death of Claude Lemieux

Claude Lemieux played a key role on four Stanley Cup winning teams 

A consummate winner throughout his 21-year career, Lemieux played a key role on four Stanley Cup-winning teams, winning his first ring only three years after Montreal drafted him in the second round. He would lift Lord Stanley's Cup a second time in 1995 with the New Jersey Devils and then become one of the few to ever win back-to-back titles with different teams, earning a third championship as a member of the 1996 Colorado Avalanche. Lemieux's name would be etched on the Cup one final time in 2000 upon a return to New Jersey. 

While rarely a top-line player, Lemieux finished his career with 379 goals, 407 assists and 786 total points. Fitting for his physical style, he racked up 1,777 penalty minutes, exceeding 100 in seven consecutive seasons from 1985-86 to 1992-93. 

Claude Lemieux won the Conn Smythe for his play in the 1995 playoffs 

He was at his best in the postseason. Lemieux scored 10 goals and recorded 16 points in 20 games during his first playoff run, which led to his first Stanley Cup. His best postseason individually came in 1995, when he led the playoffs in scoring with 13 goals en route to helping the Devils sweep the President's Trophy-winning Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Final, a victory still regarded as one of the greatest upsets in league history. Lemieux was named the Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP.

Claude Lemieux triggered one of the NHL's fiercest rivalries 

But it was the following spring when Lemieux's behind-the-back check of Red Wings' Kris Draper ignited a rivalry that led to Detroit's Darren McCarty seeking out revenge for his teammate in a game the next season. In a game referred to as "Fight Night at the Joe," McCarty beat on Lemieux so much that he caused him to famously "turtle" instead of returning punches. 

McCarty shared his immediate thoughts about Lemieux's death. 

"This is extremely sad no matter what feelings from past or present you hold. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends and people who got to see the person off the ice wasn’t the person on. As I’ve said and will always call it as I see it." 

Since retiring, Lemieux appeared on TV shows like "Pros vs. Joes" and represented several NHL stars as a player agent. 

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