The New York Rangers honored Ron Duguay ahead of their matchup against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, October 26. Duguay sadly passed away on Thursday, October 22, at the age of 69. He'd previously been diagnosed with stage four colon cancer.
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Ahead of their game against Los Angeles, the Rangers asked fans to join them in a moment of silence for the fallen NHL legend. The arena then went dark. Moments later, the fans were greeted with a "thank you" from the announcer. It was a touching moment from the Rangers, as they paid tribute to a player who spent eight seasons with the franchise.
"Duguay's family was in attendance at the game and was honored with an ovation during a break in the action," NHL.com noted.
Duguay's ties with the Rangers go deeper than his time as a player, though. He also spent 12 years working for the MSG Network as an analyst. That takes his total time in and around the franchise to 20 years combined. That's a long time to spend around a single sporting franchise. Therefore, it's understandable why the Rangers chose to honor him in such a way.
Ron Duguay's Death Was Confirmed by His Girlfriend, Sarah Palin
Duguay's death was announced by his girlfriend, Sarah Palin, on Thursday, October 22.
"It's with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now," Palin, 62, posted on her Instagram Story, via PEOPLE. "He fought so hard. Love never ends."
Shortly after news of Duguay's death became public, the Rangers released a statement, paying tribute to their former player.
"The New York Rangers organization mourns the loss of Ron Duguay, one of the most popular players in franchise history," the Rangers statement said. "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."
Currently, no information about Duguay's funeral arrangements has been made public.
