Claude Lemieux's Brain to Be Donated for CTE Research, Family of NHL Legend Says

The brain of NHL legend Claude Lemieux will be donated for research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), his family announced Saturday.

Lemieux, who won four Stanley Cups over 21 NHL seasons, died Thursday at age 60.

"In the hope that Claude's life can continue to help others, the family has chosen to donate his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at the Boston University CTE Center for research into the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury," the Lemieux family said in a statement shared by his son, former NHL player Brendan Lemieux.

The statement continued, "The family has also given permission for the CTE Center to identify Claude by name in connection with his donation and any findings it may publicly share in accordance with its research protocols.

"The family emphasizes that this decision is a gift to science, to athletes, and to future generations of families seeking answers. No conclusions should be drawn at this time regarding any diagnosis."

The Lemieux family said the decision to connect Lemieux's name to the CTE Center's research was made in "hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations, and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead."

"The family recognizes that there has been public reporting about the circumstances of Claude's death," the statement said. "Suicide is complex, and the family asks media and the public to discuss this loss with care, compassion and respect for those who loved him."

The Mayo Clinic describes CTE as a brain disease causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain.

The UNITE Brain Bank is described on its website as "the largest tissue repository in the world focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and CTE."

More than 1,700 brains have been donated to the program, according to the UNITE Brain Bank.

Goals of the center include developing a diagnostic test for CTE, which cannot currently be diagnosed in living patients.

Lemieux was present at the Montreal Canadiens' Bell Centre on Monday to carry the torch into Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Carolina Hurricanes paid tribute to Lemieux ahead of Game 5 of the conference finals on Friday in Raleigh.

Lemieux played for six teams across 21 seasons in the NHL, including 20 seasons from 1983 to 2003 followed by a comeback at age 43 during the 2008-09 campaign.

He lifted the Stanley Cup once with the Canadiens and once with the Colorado Avalanche in addition to two championships and a Conn Smythe Trophy win with the New Jersey Devils.