The tragic passing of Claude Lemieux hit the hockey world hard, but especially Frederik Andersen, who was emotional after securing his first Stanley Cup berth.
Claude Lemieux was more than just a beloved player and ambassador of the sport, but also a dedicated player agent. Frederik Andersen was one of his clients and after Lemieux's tragic passing, Andersen was extra motivated and emotional after securing his first Stanley Cup appearance.
Lemieux's sudden passing caught everyone off guard, especially since he was recently seen as the Montreal Canadiens torchbearer for Game 3 as part of their pregame ceremonies:
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But he's also someone who took chances on many players and gave them the confidence to find the best deals for them and their families.
Frederik Andersen was one of Claude Lemieux's first signings and left him with a humble final message
Andersen is someone who has been a long-time friend and associate of Lemieux and with his team needing all the strength from their goaltender, it wasn't going to be easy. When asked what Lemieux would tell him ahead of a critical Game 5, Andersen kept it short, but sweet:
Just go get it.
Obviously he kept his momentum up though he was visibly emotional after helping Carolina to the Stanley Cup Finals. Andersen mentioned how his team rallied around him when he needed it most:
(The Hurricanes) are a family. Can't really say much more. It's so special to show up (for Lemieux), make him proud, and go out and battle. The whole team supported me, as well. Just can't speak enough of this team, it's so special to be a part of.
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Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour also heavily praised Andersen's mental fortitude and how he was able to shut the door and make Lemieux and the team proud:
He was amazing. We knew, obviously, that this was going to be tough for him. To be honest, I wasn't sure he was gonna be able to play. You just don't know how that was gonna shake out. But obviously, he shook it off and battled through it. You saw the emotion after the game. That's a tough time for him.
He made us all proud. That's for sure.
The history of Lemieux and Andersen stretches back over a decade. When Lemieux split with Ritch Winter, Andersen's former agent, in 2015, Andersen went with Lemieux instead, and they've been together ever since.
Frederik Andersen is the real deal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a rollercoaster regular season
Andersen's first Stanley Cup berth comes after a 13-year absence, and it wasn't even guaranteed that he would see the ice this postseason. He struggled heavily in December and with Brandon Bussi's emergence as a real NHL-level goalie, he was playing backup duty.
But a strong stretch after the Olympics and keeping healthy led Andersen to starting Game One vs. Ottawa and from there it's been downright ridiculous.
Andersen has a 12-1-0 record with a 1.41 GAA and .931 SV% to go along with three shutouts. Those are video game numbers and it looks like he's playing on easy mode right now.
He's had his ups and downs in the playoffs but this season has proven that he can be one of the best goaltenders on the planet in clutch situations. He never falters, never looks bothered, and is a key reason for Carolina's utter dominance this year.
To go from a goalie who had questions about his placement in the lineup mid-December to a guy who is leaps and bounds better than any goalie on the planet right now is nothing short of impressive.
Andersen didn't do it all on his own though. He had Claude Lemieux there to guide him along, be a trusted friend and believe in his ability on the ice; and his character off it. He was told to just go get it, and got it he absolutely did.
If you or someone you know is struggling or dealing with mental health issues, the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 in Canada by call or text at 988.
Do you think Frederik Andersen was extra motivated to win Game 5 for Claude Lemieux?
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