Claude Lemieux's wife was concerned about his behavior in the months leading up to his death ... with officials detailing a confrontation about the late NHL star's sobriety hours before he took his own life.
Officials released the incident report on Claude's tragic death on May 28 ... in which his son, Brendan, explained the family had noticed a change in his dad's behavior over the past year -- and they were concerned he might have relapsed after 12 years of sobriety.
When Claude's wife, Deborah, confronted him on May 27 about her concerns, the report states he acknowledged he relapsed ... and Deborah told him to leave the home at 10:30 PM.
Justin Bieber shocked sports and music fans alike ... when the superstar showed up to announce the No. 1 overall pick at the NHL draft!
The Canadian pop star was greeted by a roaring crowd as he approached the stage to announce the newest player drafted for his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.
Waiting for your permission to load the Twitter Tweet.
JB noted it was a full-circle moment ... he's loved the Leafs since he was a kid.
The singer was grinning ear-to-ear when he announced Gavin McKenna would be joining the Toronto team.
Justin Gaethje's a big underdog against Ilia Topuria at The White House ... so, what does the MMA star have to do to pull off the big upset?? Team USA hockey legend Mike Eruzione is sharing a few words of wisdom.
It all started when TMZ Sports talked to 37-year-old Gaethje last week, and he told us he was gunning to bring "Miracle on Ice" energy to his Freedom 250 fight against Topuria, who is a substantial betting favorite.
As UFC fans will know ... Justin's from 'Merica, while Ilia lives and fights out of Spain.
Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen was overcome with emotion Friday night after helping his team reach the Stanley Cup Final -- delivering the win just days after the death of his longtime agent and mentor, NHL legend Claude Lemieux.
Before the national anthems, the Carolina Hurricanes honored Claude Lemieux, in which the Caniacs gave applause❤️🖤🤍
Before Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Montreal Canadiens, the Hurricanes held a moment of remembrance at Lenovo Center honoring Lemieux, who was remembered as a "great champion" of the sport.
Lemieux also had a personal connection to the game on the ice -- he was the agent for Andersen, who was one of his earliest clients, and had long been considered a mentor and father figure to the goaltender.
Frederik Andersen played with a heavy heart following the passing of his longtime agent and friend, Claude Lemieux. More than just a representative, Lemieux was a trusted mentor who stood by Andersen throughout his NHL journey. Tonight was a reminder that behind every player is a… https://t.co/6E2XRTZ4jzpic.twitter.com/0It55IAHr0@realfbllliason
Following Carolina’s dominant 6-1 win, Andersen was visibly emotional as teammates mobbed him in celebration on the ice. The moment quickly turned personal when he addressed reporters, reflecting on what Lemieux would have said to him after such a career milestone -- "Just go get it."
Those closest to Claude Lemieux are devastated by his tragic death ... with family members sharing emotional tributes on social media.
Claudia Lemieux went to Instagram to address her dad's passing on Thursday ... saying, "No words to express the level of devastation we feel. I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl."
Claudia's husband, Hunter Bishop, honored his father-in-law with an image of them golfing ... writing, "Rest in peace to a truly amazing man. Words can’t even begin to describe how much you meant to everyone. Love you big man 👼🏽."
Flavor Flav tells TMZ Sports the "SHE Weekend" will be so epic, the U.S. Women's Olympic Hockey team will leave Las Vegas with keys to the city!!
We caught up with the rap legend at LAX this week ... and he said the July extravaganza already features plenty of entertainment, food, drinks, etc. ... but they're going one step further with top honors from the city.
Flav took a jab at their men's counterparts as he raved about the bash ... saying while they went to President Trump's White House, known for giving McDonald's to champions, the ladies will be chowing down on steak and lobster.
No mic, no problem -- Buffalo Sabres fans had an all-time assist when a national anthem singer's performance was rocked with technical issues ... 'cause the whole crowd joined in to belt out "O Canada."
The blooper-turned-highlight went down ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday night at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo ... as "The Voice" alum Cami Clune started a beautiful rendition of the song.
Just a few words into it, her mic gave out ... but the thousands in attendance had her back.
It was cloudy with a 100% chance of glass at the Avalanche vs. Kings playoff game on Tuesday ... when some rowdy fans got so excited over a penalty shot save, they broke a glass panel behind the bench!!!
The chaos went down early in the second period ... right after Colorado goalie stopped L.A. right winger Quinton Byfield's penalty shot in its tracks.
THIS IS INSANE: THE FANS IN COLORADO WERE SO HYPED FOR THE PENALTY SHOT SAVE THAT THEY SHATTERED THE GLASS BEHIND THE KINGS BENCH 😱🤯 pic.twitter.com/WYMgGZCQgl@BR_OpenIce
The folks sitting feet away from the Kings celebrated by pounding on the glass barrier ... and seconds later, it completely shattered and crumbled to the ground.
Hockey star Laila Edwards' life has changed dramatically since capturing Olympic gold ... but there's still one dream she hasn't made reality yet -- meeting Billie Eilish!
That's what the 22-year-old University of Wisconsin athlete told TMZ Sports when we caught up with her in New York City, while discussing the attention she's gotten since the 2026 Winter Games.
Jack Hughesis looking like a new man these days -- the U.S. men's hockey Olympic hero was flashing his new chompers out at Yankee Stadium for the team's home opener ... where he's set to throw out the first pitch!
The cameras were rolling as Hughes hit the field during the Bronx Bombers' batting practice, and it's hard to look at anything other than his new smile.
Hughes reportedly had the procedure done a few weeks ago, moving away from the iconic look he rocked after taking a stick to the mouth during the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Games -- where he scored the winning goal for Team USA.
Days after NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three kids were tragically killed in a devastating fire at their Minneapolis home ... the Tampa Bay Lightning shared a touching gesture as they welcomed the Minnesota Wild to town -- leaving an open spot in the press box for the longtime beat writer.
The team's social media account posted a photo of the spot in the media room reserved for Pierce, which featured her name on a card and a vase of flowers.
Jack Hughes can keep pushing all he wants … but it sounds like that golden goal puck is staying put -- permanently.
Despite the New Jersey Devils star publicly blasting the Hockey Hall of Fame and trying to reclaim the piece of history, the Hall is making one thing clear to TMZ Sports: it’s not going anywhere.
Enter Phil Pritchard -- aka the “Keeper of the Cup” and VP of the Hall -- who basically shut the door on Hughes’ hopes.
Jack Hughes officially has beef with the Hockey Hall of Fame -- the Team USA hero says he can't wrap his head around why his golden goal puck currently lives in Toronto ... claiming that piece of history belongs to him!!
The New Jersey Devils star shared his feelings known in an interview with ESPN on Tuesday ... saying he's actively working on getting his hands on the puck.
"I'm trying to get it," Hughes said. "Like, that's bulls*** that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have that puck?"
USA baseball is looking to channel a little Olympic magic ahead of the World Baseball Classic final against Venezuela ... as the team pulled up to the ballpark rocking game-worn sweaters from the gold medal-winning men's hockey team!
Each member of the squad got to rep a different player as they made their way to the crucial matchup ... and it was all thanks to Fanatics.
The captain of Team USA baseball, Aaron Judge, was handed the jersey of Auston Matthews -- who captained the men's hockey team during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Other players spotted in the Red, White and Blue included Mason Miller, David Bednar, Logan Webb and Bryce Harper.
Pete Crow-Armstrong made it clear he called dibs on "his boy" Jack Hughes... adding they wanted to show how the men's hockey team winning it all has inspired them during their WBC run.
Connor McDavid proved he's got hands on Thursday ... the NHL star shockingly started throwing haymakers aimed squarely at his opponent's face during an on-ice melee -- and it was intense!
The one-on-one went down after a small fight erupted at the end of the second period of the Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars game at the American Airlines Center.
Broadcast footage showed McDavid going right at Stars role player Justin Hryckowian during the fracas, yanking on his black and green jersey while throwing left-handed jabs at his face.
Jack Hughessays the U.S. men’s hockey team felt the pressure in the best way possible after watching the women bring home gold -- because once that happened, they knew they had to finish the job.
TMZ Sports caught up with Hughes during a fan event at Raising Cane's … where the Olympic champ helped serve fans alongside Team USA women’s star, Caroline Harvey.
Hughes says he and his brother, fellow NHL defenseman Quinn Hughes, were actually in the building for the women’s gold medal game -- and the nerves were real.
