What happened: Former Montreal Canadiens teammate Chris Nilan shared a photo with Claude Lemieux taken days before Lemieux's death at 60. Nilan and Lemieux played together in Montreal for four-plus seasons, from the 1983-84 season until the 1988 trade that sent Nilan to the New York Rangers.
Why it matters: The post adds a personal layer to the hockey world's reaction after Lemieux's death, coming shortly after he appeared at Bell Centre during the Canadiens' postseason run. It also reconnects the news to Montreal's 1980s core, where Lemieux and Nilan overlapped before their careers split.
By the numbers: Lemieux was 60. Nilan and Lemieux were Canadiens teammates for four-plus seasons, beginning in 1983-84 and ending when Nilan was traded to the Rangers in 1988.
What to watch: Watch for additional tributes from former teammates and the Canadiens organization as memorial plans and public remembrances develop.
Sources
- Yahoo NHL