After a battle with an aggressive form of colon cancer, former NHL star Ron Duguay has died, his family said Thursday. He was 69.
In a post on social media, his daughter Shay Thomas said he “passed away peacefully … after a hard-fought battle with cancer.”
“A celebration of life will be held at a later date,” the post said.
Born on July 26, 1957, Duguay played junior hockey for the Sudbury Wolves.
His 134 points (42 goals, 92 assists) in 1975-76 helped the team win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as the team with the best record in the regular season (47-11 with eight ties) and the OMJHL finals, a six-game loss to Hamilton.
“The Sudbury Wolves organization mourns the passing of Ron Duguay following his courageous battle with cancer,” the team said in a post Thursday.
“On Oct. 2, we were honoured to celebrate Ron during Ron Duguay Night, giving him the opportunity to reunite with friends, family, and the fans who supported him throughout his career. Our deepest condolences go out to Ron’s loved ones.”
Duguay played for the New York Rangers from 1977-1983, scoring 40 goals and 36 assists in the 1981-1982 season.
“The New York Rangers organization mourns the loss of Ron Duguay, one of the most popular players in franchise history,” the Rangers said in a statement.
“Ron’s signature skating style — with his hair flowing as he moved down the ice — captivated the Garden faithful, and his skill, tenacity, and charisma earned him the admiration of all New Yorkers. We join the hockey community in sending our condolences to Ron’s friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Starred in the NHL
His best year in the NHL came with the Detroit Red Wings in 1984-1985, when he had 38 goals and 51 assists. He also played with Pittsburgh and the L.A. Kings, finishing his NHL career in 1989.
He went public in February with his cancer diagnosis, launching a fundraising campaign to help pay for treatments.
“Because of the cancer in his liver, along with everything his liver has endured from surgery, chemotherapy and the pump, pressure has built up inside the liver,” Thomas said in July about her dad’s cancer battle.
“That pressure can back up into the stomach and cause bleeding. The ulcer still needs further evaluation, but the bleeding and liver pressure are the major concerns right now.”
