Rasmus Andersson of the Vegas Golden Knights was represented by Claude Lemieux. After Lemieux’s tragic death last week, Andersson is honoring his former agent. How? By writing Lemieux’s initials and number on the inside of his shoulder pad.
Claude Lemieux passed away on May 28, leaving the entire hockey world in shock. He was 60 years old. As a player, Lemieux was one of the most successful of his generation.
READ MORE: Peter Forsberg’s first words on Claude Lemieux’s death
Claude Lemieux career stats
Claude Lemieux won four Stanley Cups: in 1986 with the Montreal Canadiens, in 1995 and 2000 with the New Jersey Devils, and in 1996 with the Colorado Avalanche. Known as a clutch performer in the playoffs, Lemieux played a hard-nosed game. Off the ice, however, he was known as one of the kindest players in the league. When he retired, he ranked fifth all-time in playoff games played (234) and ninth in playoff goals (80).
Represented Rasmus Andersson
After his playing career, Claude Lemieux became an agent. One of his first clients was a young Swede named Rasmus Andersson. Now playing in his first Stanley Cup Final, it has been an emotional week for Andersson.
“Yeah, it’s been tough. Of course, I’m really happy sitting here. But do I wish with all my heart that Claude was going to be here with us? Yes. The first time I met Claude, I think I was 13 or 14 years old, and he’s been there every step of the way,” Andersson told Sportsnet on Sunday.
“Claude was there when I played in Sweden; he was the one who brought me over to Barrie. He was there in the American League, he was there in the NHL. Claude did my first contract, and he was going to do my next one too. He was one of those people I could call about just about anything. Almost like a safety blanket for me. He texted me after we clinched and after we made it through. Then I’m on the golf course with my dad, and I get the call from a Swedish guy telling me what happened. I don’t think anyone saw it coming. It’s just one of those things you wish wasn’t true. I can talk for hours about him. I can’t say enough good things about him and how much he’s meant to me personally,” Andersson said.
READ MORE: Frederik Andersen’s first words after agent Claude Lemieux’s passing
Tribute to Claude Lemieux
Rasmus Andersson is now paying tribute to his former agent and mentor. Insider Elliotte Friedman shared a story before Game 1.
“When Rasmus Andersson was a teenager and Claude Lemieux started representing him, he injured his shoulder overseas in Sweden. Lemieux said, ‘I had a shoulder injury like that. I put some extra padding in my shoulder pads.’
“That was almost 15 years ago, and Rasmus Andersson still wears that padding today. Last week, after Lemieux’s passing, Andersson put CL22 there,” Friedman said during the TV broadcast.
You can watch Andersson’s beautiful tribute below.
READ MORE: Darren McCarty speaks out after Claude Lemieux’s passing
