Frederik Andersen struggled to hold back tears as he spoke of the heartache driving the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup final — just two days after the death of his agent and close friend, the NHL great Claude Lemieux.
The 36-year-old goaltender made 23 saves in a decisive 6-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, sending his team to the title series for the first time since 2006. It was a performance that left teammates mobbing him on the ice at the Lenovo Center, and later left him openly emotional when asked what Lemieux would have wanted him to do.
“Just go get it,” Andersen said, his voice breaking. “He’s the ultimate competitor but he has the biggest heart. He wants it so much for me and for this team.”
‘Like family’ — the bond between Andersen and Lemieux
Lemieux, who died by suicide early on Thursday morning at the age of 60, had represented Andersen as his agent for years. The goaltender described the relationship as “like family”, and the depth of that connection became clear in the days following the tragedy.
Andersen had spent the hours before the decisive game grappling with the loss. Coach Rod Brind’Amour admitted he was uncertain whether his goaltender would be able to play at all. But Andersen took the ice, and his teammates made clear they were playing for him.
“It’s been a difficult couple of days but the way we showed up — today and the last couple of days — for the team and each other has been incredible,” Andersen said. “I can’t say enough good things about this team and the way they supported me.”
Captain Jordan Staal had said earlier that morning that the Hurricanes wanted to win for Andersen. The feeling was mutual. “We’re a family — you can’t really say much more,” Andersen added. “It’s so special to be able to show up for him and make him proud. To go out and battle and the whole team supported me as well … it’s been so special to be part of.”
Forward Jordan Martinook echoed the sentiment, calling the team a brotherhood. “We’re brothers in here … he’s an important part of us. And as a friend, and we’re family, for us to be able to help him along …”
Andersen has been a standout throughout the postseason, leading all goaltenders with at least five games played in save percentage (.928) and posting a perfect record on long-range shots. The Hurricanes have outscored opponents by 17 goals with him in net. This is his fourth conference final appearance but his first trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Lemieux’s death and the tributes that followed
Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the most polarising figures in hockey history, was found dead in the early hours of Thursday morning. Deputies responded just after 3am to an apparent suicide at Andros Home, the family’s furniture business in Lake Park, Florida, which he co-owned with his wife, Deborah. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his death but declined to release further records, citing a Florida statute that exempts suicide cases from public disclosure.
According to reports, Lemieux was found in a rear warehouse by one of his sons having hanged himself. He is survived by his wife and four children — Claudia, 29, Christopher, 37, Michael, 34, and Brendan, 30. It is unclear which son discovered him.
The hockey world has been in mourning. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called Lemieux “one of the greatest big-game players in hockey history”. Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said: “Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community.” Even former rivals expressed sorrow, with Darren McCarty of the Detroit Red Wings — a team that had a fierce rivalry with Lemieux — stating: “This is extremely sad no matter what feelings from past or present you hold.”
President Trump also paid tribute, describing Lemieux as a “true legend” of hockey.
Before Friday night’s game, the Lenovo Center held a moment of remembrance. The arena announcer said: “The hockey world lost a great champion yesterday, with the passing of Claude Lemieux. Known across the league as a fierce competitor, the winner of four Stanley Cups and known to our organization as a father and advisor.”
A picture of Lemieux appeared on the jumbotron, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd in North Carolina.
A final tribute from the goaltender he mentored
Lemieux’s connection to the Hurricanes ran deeper than just his client relationship with Andersen. His son, Brendan, played for Carolina during the 2023-24 season. In a heartfelt Instagram post after his father’s death, Brendan wrote: “I love you dad! My son’s favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you.”
Brendan’s girlfriend, Brookie, also shared a tribute, posting a photo of Claude holding their son, Luc, and calling him “my son’s favorite person in the world”.
Lemieux had been working as a player agent — president of hockey in North America for 4Sports Hockey — with Andersen among his first clients. Others included Moritz Seider, Timo Meier and Hampus Lindholm.
Only four days before his death, Lemieux served as the ceremonial torchbearer for the Canadiens before Game 3 of the same series at the Bell Centre in Montreal, where he received a standing ovation. Videos of that appearance, described as “surreal” and “heartbreaking” in hindsight, show a man embraced by the city where he won his first Stanley Cup as a rookie in 1986.
After the Hurricanes’ triumph on Friday, Andersen was asked what Lemieux’s message to him would be. He repeated the same three words: “Just go get it.”
“He’s the ultimate competitor but he has the biggest heart,” Andersen said. “He wants it so much for me and for this team.”
