Claude Lemieux's brain donated to CTE research
The late Canadiens enforcer's family allows Boston University to study his brain to advance understanding of repetitive head injuries in hockey.
Claude Lemieux's brain will be donated to Boston University's CTE Center to research the long-term effects of repetitive brain injuries, his family announced Saturday.
Lemieux died by suicide Thursday at age 60. He played nearly 1,500 NHL games across six teams from 1983 to 2009, known for his hard-hitting style and four Stanley Cup wins. Earlier this week, he'd served as the Canadiens' torchbearer before a playoff game.
The family gave permission for the university to publicly share research findings under his name, though they noted no conclusions should be drawn about any specific diagnosis. "Claude dedicated his post-playing career to helping the next generation," the family said in a statement, referring to his work as a player agent. "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 donation adds Lemieux to a growing body of research into how repeated head trauma affects former athletes.