Rasmus Andersson had known Claude Lemieux since he was a young teenager. As he wrapped up the season, Andersson spoke honestly about how Lemieux’s tragic death affected him.
”A very close friend and good mentor passed away,” Andersson said.
Rasmus Andersson’s 2025–26 season ended in heartbreak twice. He lost the Stanley Cup Final with his Vegas Golden Knights to the Carolina Hurricanes. More importantly, however, he lost his agent, mentor, and dear friend Claude Lemieux just before the Final began.
READ MORE: Rasmus Andersson’s tribute to his former agent Claude Lemieux
Claude Lemieux won four Stanley Cups
Claude Lemieux was one of the most successful players of his generation, winning four Stanley Cups: one with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, one with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996, and two with the New Jersey Devils in 1995 and 2000. After retiring in 2009, Lemieux became an agent. One of the first players he signed was Rasmus Andersson.
The two met when Andersson was 13 years old, and Lemieux became much more than an agent. He became a close friend and mentor. On May 28, Lemieux tragically passed away at the age of 60.
READ MORE: Frederik Andersen’s praise to Claude Lemieux after Stanley Cup win
“Claude Lemieux 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 meant to me personally,” Andersson said after Lemieux’s death.
READ MORE: Peter Forsberg’s first words on Claude Lemieux’s death
Rasmus Andersson’s heartbreaking words
While wrapping up the season with the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, Andersson reflected on what had been a turbulent year. He was traded from the Calgary Flames to the Golden Knights midway through the season.
“It’s probably the craziest year I’ve ever been a part of. It really started about a year ago when the first trade calls came, and you’re trying to find the right situation for yourself. It went on all the way until January, when I got traded. Then you adapt, you try to fit in here. You play a slightly different role than you’re used to. Then you’re off to the Olympics, and when you come back, you barely know what time zone you’re in,” Andersson said.
He then spoke about the passing of Claude Lemieux just before the Stanley Cup Final.
“And right before the Final, a very close friend and good mentor of mine passes away. So it’s just been a lot this year, and I think I just need some time away from hockey,” Andersson said.
You can watch the press conference below.
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