Claude Lemieux reportedly carried a deep sense of “injustice” in the years leading up to his tragic death — a feeling those close to him say became too painful to ignore.

The NHL legend died by suicide this month at the age of 60. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, one of his sons found him inside his furniture business in Lake Park at 3:23 a.m. on Thursday, May 26.

During his remarkable 20-year NHL career, Lemieux helped lead the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche to four Stanley Cup championships. Despite his success on the ice, the former winger was never inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame after retiring in 2009.

Longtime Montreal hockey columnist Rejean Tremblay, who knew Lemieux for more than 30 years, told the New York Post that the omission weighed heavily on him.

“He always lived this as an injustice, a heavy burden to bear,” Tremblay said.

“The sense of rejection ran deeper than one might have imagined. He took it very hard,” he added.

Just days before his death, Lemieux appeared to be in high spirits while representing the Canadiens at Montreal’s Bell Centre. He carried the ceremonial torch ahead of Game 3 of the NHL conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Tremblay suggested the emotional moment may have resurfaced painful feelings from the past.

“It’s possible that surge of love, that wave of love on Monday evening, triggered an emotion that was too intense,” he said. “It might have reawakened old pains, old suffering.”

Lemieux is survived by his wife, Deborah, daughter Claudia, and sons Brendan, Christopher and Michael.

Following his death, the family revealed that his brain would be donated to the Boston University CTE Center to support research into the long-term effects of repeated brain injuries.

CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a progressive brain condition linked to repeated head trauma. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease causes degeneration and the death of nerve cells in the brain. It can only be definitively diagnosed after death through a brain autopsy.

“Claude dedicated his post-playing career to helping the next generation,” a statement released by his daughter Claudia said. “By allowing his name to be connected to this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead.”

The statement also stressed that no conclusions should be made at this time regarding any possible diagnosis.

“The family emphasizes that this decision is a gift to science, to athletes and to future generations of families seeking answers,” the statement added.

Earlier this week, Boston University announced that former Boston Bruins player Lyndon Byers was diagnosed with stage 3 CTE after his death at age 61 last year, according to The Athletic. Researchers said 19 of the 20 NHL players studied at the university have now been found to have CTE.