The death of NHL legend Claude Lemieux continues to spark emotional reactions across the hockey world. The former star passed away under tragic circumstances at the age of 60, leaving fans, former teammates, and loved ones mourning the loss of one of hockey’s most unforgettable playoff performers.

In the wake of his death, members of the family released a statement sharing that Claude Lemieux’s brain will be donated for research into traumatic brain injuries and CTE, as concerns continue to grow around the long-term effects of repeated head trauma in professional sports.

Friends close to Lemieux also revealed that the former NHL star had been privately battling depression and emotional struggles in the period leading up to his death. Those closest to him said he had been dealing with difficult mental health challenges and lingering emotional pain in recent years.

The family also shared several heartfelt photos in memory of the four-time Stanley Cup champion. Among those paying tribute were his son Brendan Lemieux and Brendan’s partner, Brooke Monahan.

Brooke posted a touching series of photos showing Claude spending precious moments with his grandson, Luc.

In many of the images, Claude could be seen smiling while caring for and playing with the young boy, revealing a softer and deeply personal side of the former NHL enforcer that fans rarely saw during his playing career.

Alongside the photos, Brooke shared an emotional tribute in his honor.

“It’s hard to put into words the relationship Claude (Grandpa) had with Luc, and maybe that’s because it seemed like they spoke their own language,” she wrote.

“I will forever see you through his eyes — a mirror image of your own. Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts in my life, Brendan and Luc. We love you forever.”

The emotional message quickly resonated with fans online as many reflected on the family side of the former hockey star while also expressing sadness over the struggles he had reportedly been facing behind the scenes.

Several of the photos showed Claude Lemieux on the ice with his family, proudly holding little Luc in his arms.

Other images captured touching moments of the family helping the young boy skate, while another showed grandfather and grandson sharing a quiet moment together.

Fans commented that Lemieux looked genuinely happy in the family snapshots, with many describing the images as especially heartbreaking following the tragic news of his passing and the revelations about his battle with depression.

Lemieux’s family said they hope the decision to donate his brain for scientific research can help lead to a greater understanding of the mental and neurological challenges athletes may face long after their playing careers come to an end.