Claude Lemieux Former Shopper Will get Emotional After Profession-Defining Win

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen was overcome with emotion Friday night time after serving to his crew attain the Stanley Cup Remaining — delivering the win simply days after the dying of his longtime agent and mentor, NHL legend Claude Lemieux.

Earlier than Sport 5 of the Japanese Convention Remaining towards the Montreal Canadiens, the Hurricanes held a second of remembrance at Lenovo Middle honoring Lemieux, who was remembered as a “nice champion” of the game.

Lemieux additionally had a private connection to the sport on the ice — he was the agent for Andersen, who was one in all his earliest shoppers, and had lengthy been thought-about a mentor and father determine to the goaltender.

Following Carolina’s dominant 6-1 win, Andersen was visibly emotional as teammates mobbed him in celebration on the ice. The second rapidly turned private when he addressed reporters, reflecting on what Lemieux would have mentioned to him after such a profession milestone — “Simply go get it.”

Andersen added, combating again tears, “He’s the last word competitor however he has the most important coronary heart. He needs it a lot for me and for this crew.”

The emotional goalie admitted the previous few days have been extraordinarily tough, however mentioned the Hurricanes’ assist helped carry him by way of, and Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal had mentioned earlier within the day that the crew wished to win for Andersen as a lot as for themselves.

Andersen echoed that sentiment after the win, describing the locker room bond as one thing larger than hockey, saying, “We’re a household. To have the ability to present up for one another like that, it’s so particular. To exit and battle collectively and really feel that assist the entire approach by way of, it means every part.”

We broke the story … Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one in all hockey’s most polarizing figures, died by suicide early Thursday morning on the age of 60. The loss has rocked the hockey world, with tributes pouring in from gamers, groups, and followers throughout the league.