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Four-time Stanley Cup champ Claude Lemieux dies

May 25, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Former player Claude Lemieux carries the torch before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn ImagesMay 25, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Former player Claude Lemieux carries the torch before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion who skated a fine line between being a clutch scorer and agitator, has died. He was 60.

The NHL Alumni Association announced the news Thursday but did not disclose a cause or date of death.

Lemieux played 21 seasons in the NHL and was awarded the 1994-95 Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. He won two Stanley Cup titles with the New Jersey Devils (1994-95, 1999-2000) and one each with the Colorado Avalanche (1995-96) and Montreal Canadiens (1985-86).

Lemieux recorded 158 points (80 goals, 78 assists) and 529 penalty minutes in 234 playoff games. He had a team-leading 10 goals and four game-winning goals in aiding the Canadiens to their 23rd Stanley Cup title in 1985-86.

“Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community. I wish to express my most sincere and deepest condolences to Claude’s family and loved ones,” said Geoff Molson, owner and CEO of Groupe CH.

“A fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous, and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors. He embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day.”

The physical side also was on display with Lemieux, who infamously checked Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper into the boards during the 1996 Western Conference finals. The result of the check broke Draper’s jaw, nose and cheekbone, setting off fireworks between the teams while earning Lemieux a suspension for the first two games of the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.

Lemieux had 786 points (379 goals, 407 assists) and 1,777 penalty minutes in 1,215 regular-season contests with the Canadiens, Devils, Avalanche, then-Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks.

The Quebec native was selected by the Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL Draft.

On Monday, Lemieux greeted the Montreal crowd by carrying the torch into the Bell Centre prior to the start of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes.

–Field Level Media


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Marta Kostyuk to put clay-court streak on line against Iga Swiatek in Paris

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk her third round match against Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic at the French Open on May 29, 2026.Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk her third round match against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic at the French Open on May 29, 2026.

Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, who has not lost on the clay courts this season, advanced to the fourth round of the French Open on Friday in Paris — with four-time champion Iga Swiatek her next opponent.

The 15th-seeded Kostyuk won titles on the clay courts in Madrid and Rouen leading up to the French Open. She advanced with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland.

Swiatek, the third seed, most recently won the title at Roland Garros in 2024. She defeated Magda Linette 6-4, 6-4 in an all-Polish match on Friday to advance. With the win, she avenged her three-set loss to Linette earlier this year in Miami.

Swiatek has yet to win a tournament on clay this season and has a record of 9-3. Her most recent title on any surface came last September in Seoul.

Kostyuk had an optimistic tone in her post-match news conference, even though she has lost all three career matchups against Swiatek and hasn’t won a set from her.

“I definitely have a different feeling going into this match,” she said. “Because I feel like last time that I played her in Cincinnati, I lost this match way before it even started, and I don’t feel the same this time.”

Swiatek also won the tournament in 2020 before three straight victories from 2022-24 and is 43-3 overall at Roland Garros. Only Chris Evert (seven) and Steffi Graf (six) have more singles titles in Paris during the Open Era.

Kostyuk knows that history, too.

“She’s won this tournament four times. I would love to be the one who is a favorite in this match, but I still don’t think it’s the case, even though I have this really long streak,” the Ukrainian said. “But it’s not going to ruin my day or ruin my game. I still want to go out and try my best and enjoy. Like, I have never taken a set off her. Even if I win one set in the next match, I’m going to be very happy. That’s how I look at it, and I’m excited for this match.”

Other winners Friday were eighth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia, who defeated Czech 27th seed Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2. In the fourth round, she will face Jil Teichmann of Switzerland, who upset 10th-seeded Karolina Muchova of Czechia 6-1, 7-5.

Sorana Cirstea of Romania, the 18th seed, shut out Solana Sierra of Argentina 6-0, 6-0 to set up a fourth-round meeting with Xiyu Wang of China, who produced a 6-3, 7-5 win over Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva.

Seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine ousted Tamara Korpatsch of Germany 6-2, 6-3. She will play 11th-seeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, who sailed 6-3, 6-3 past Peyton Stearns.

–Field Level Media

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PWHL Detroit tabs Josh Sciba as head coach

PWHL Detroit will begin play with the 2026-27 season.PWHL Detroit will begin play with the 2026-27 season.

Michigan native Josh Sciba has been named the inaugural head coach of PWHL Detroit, the expansion team announced Thursday.

Sciba, 41, previously spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the PWHL’s New York Sirens and as an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning 2026 U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team.

“Josh is a highly respected coach with a knowledge of the game and experience at all levels of women’s hockey that set him apart, and his passion for teaching and individual character are qualities I value in a leader,” Detroit general manager Manon Rheaume said in a news release. “Hockeytown is in his blood, and this is an opportunity I know he is eager to embrace with an understanding of what it means to represent this city and be part of its legacy.”

Sciba served as head coach of the women’s hockey team at Union College from 2016-24 after spending four seasons as an assistant coach at Colgate (2012-16).

“I’m incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to become the Head Coach of PWHL Detroit and beyond grateful for the trust placed in me to help lead the organization from the beginning,” Sciba said. “This is home and especially meaningful for me and my entire family, knowing Detroit’s rich hockey history and identity firsthand and how much the women’s hockey community has been yearning for this moment. Working alongside Manon, someone who has meant so much to the growth of the sport, is a journey I’m so fortunate to be on, with her passion, leadership, and vision that will make Detroit a destination for players.”

Detroit is one of four expansion teams starting play in 2026-27, along with Las Vegas, San Jose and Hamilton, Ontario.

The PWHL now has doubled in size from its original six members in 2023: Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa and Toronto. Vancouver and Seattle entered the league in 2025.

–Field Level Media

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Brazil's Neymar (calf) may miss World Cup opener

Neymar in Santos' match against Cruzeiro at Estadio Urbano Caldeira, Santos, Brazil, on Dec. 7, 2025.Neymar in Santos’ match against Cruzeiro at Estadio Urbano Caldeira, Santos, Brazil, on Dec. 7, 2025.

Neymar is expected to be sidelined up to three weeks with a right calf injury, putting his availability in doubt for Brazil’s opening match of the World Cup.

The forward has been out of action since May 17. Brazil’s World Cup opening match is against Morocco on June 13 in East Rutherford, N.J.

“He arrived at Granja Comary (Wednesday), underwent a full medical examination, which included an MRI scan that revealed a Grade 2 calf injury, not just swelling,” Brazil national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on Thursday. “He is expected to be fit to play in two to three weeks.”

Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, rejoined his boyhood club Santos last year after a stay with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.

Neymar, 34, has collected eight goals through his three World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) and will try to guide the Selecao to their first title since 2002.

Drawn into Group C, Brazil also will face Haiti on June 20 and Scotland on June 24.

–Field Level Media

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