Frederik Andersen has just won his first Stanley Cup at the age of 36. During the celebrations, Andersen took the opportunity to thank his former agent and friend, Claude Lemieux.
“It’s tough to really describe,” Andersen said.
Frederik Andersen has played 14 seasons in the NHL. And on Sunday, he finally reached the mountaintop with a Stanley Cup victory. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games.
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Frederik Andersen NHL debut
Andersen made his NHL debut in 2013 with the Anaheim Ducks. He has been with the Hurricanes since the 2021–22 season. During this postseason, Andersen was credited with 13 of the Hurricanes’ 16 wins. He was also one of the first players Claude Lemieux signed when he became an agent after hanging up his skates in 2009.
Claude Lemieux was a four-time Stanley Cup champion. Once with the Canadiens, once with the Avalanche, and twice with the Devils. Lemieux tragically passed away on May 28. He was known as one of the greatest postseason players in NHL history because of his goal-scoring ability and gritty style of play.
Tribute to Claude Lemieux
As an agent, however, he was quite the opposite and often served as a mentor to his younger, less experienced clients. One of those clients won a Stanley Cup on Sunday and made sure to give a special thanks to his former agent, mentor, and close friend.
“Everyone goes through stuff throughout the year, big and small. I think the way the team here has been picking each other up and helping each other out through all of this is just so special. Claude and the Lemieux family have been there almost as long as my family. He’d be so proud, I know that. He’s a competitor. He always wanted the best for me, his players, and their families. It’s tough to really describe how much Claude Lemieux meant to me and how cool it is to have my name on that trophy with him,” Andersen said.
You can watch the interview below.
READ MORE: Frederik Andersen’s first words after agent Claude Lemieux’s passing
