As tributes proceed to pour in for former Montreal Canadiens participant Claude Lemieux following his sudden passing on Thursday, one of many extra surprising ones got here from south of the border.
U.S. President Donald Trump took to Reality Social Thursday night time to recollect Lemieux, calling the four-time Stanley Cup champion a buddy and a “great TRUMP supporter.” Trump praised Lemieux as “a real Legend of the Recreation, and one of many fiercest opponents Hockey has ever seen,” and directed his condolences personally to Lemieux’s son Brendan, writing “you and your Dad have been Warriors on the Ice.”
He highlighted Lemieux’s 80 profession playoff objectives as rating among the many all-time greats and name-checked all three of his championship organizations, Montreal, New Jersey and Colorado. Trump closed the publish by writing that “Claude will likely be missed by all who love Profitable and Toughness,” signing off along with his title and a MAGA hashtag.
Brendan himself posted a tribute on Instagram Thursday, sharing a photograph of himself on the ice alongside his father and his younger son. “I really like you dad,” he wrote.
“My son’s favourite individual goes to look at from above for some time. We are going to see you.” The publish drew almost 90,000 likes and a wave of condolences from throughout the hockey world, together with messages from Michael Bublé and Candace Bure, spouse of ex-Habs participant Valeri Bure. The Canadiens’ personal vp of communication Chantal Machabee, was amongst those that favored the publish.
Lemieux handed away at 60 on Thursday. The NHL Alumni Affiliation broke the information round 1 p.m. ET, and TMZ Sports has reported his loss of life was by suicide. He’s survived by his spouse Deborah and 4 kids.
Lemieux had made his remaining public look simply days earlier, carrying the pre-game torch into the Bell Centre forward of the Canadiens’ Recreation 3 in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday.