NEW YORK (AP) — Ron Duguay, whose long, wavy hair made him stick out on the ice during an era when helmets were not mandatory in hockey and who played nearly 1,000 games in the NHL from the late 1970s through the ’80s, has died of cancer. He was 69.
Duguay for several years has been dating Alaska governor and 2008 Republican U.S. vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who announced his death after being by his side throughout the illness. A spokesperson for the New York Rangers also confirmed Thursday that Duguay’s family informed the team of his passing.
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FILE - Ron Duguay of the New York Rangers Alumni team moves the puck into the offensive zone during the Winter Classic Alumni hockey game with the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni team, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek, File)
FILE - Former New York Ranger Ron Duguay introduces a performance by the cast of "Come From Away" at the 71st annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Michael Zorn/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - Sarah Palin is escorted to her car by Ron Duguay after leaving the courthouse in New York, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
FILE -Ron Duguay, center, of the New York Rangers Alumni team passes the puck past Bob Clarke, of the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni team during the Winter Classic Alumni hockey game with the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni team, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek, File)
FILE - Marty McSorley, left, of the Los Angeles Kings winds up before shooting the puck as teammate Ron Duguay, center, blocks out New York Rangers Carey Wilson during the first period of their National Hockey League game on Monday, Feb. 27, 1989 in New York. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm, File)
"It’s with a shattered heart but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now,” Palin posted on social media. “He fought so hard. Love never ends.”
Duguay's first six seasons came as a fan favorite with the Rangers, including an appearance in the 1979 Stanley Cup Final, after they selected him with the 13th pick in the '77 draft.
The Sudbury, Ontario, native was an All-Star as a point-a-game producer in 1981-82.
A series of trades led him to spend time with the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings with another Rangers stint, as well. Duguay finished his career in the league with 673 points in the regular season and playoffs, then played in Germany and the minors.
“The New York Rangers organization mourns the loss of Ron Duguay, one of the most popular players in franchise history,” the club said in a statement. “Ron’s signature skating style — with his hair flowing as he moved down the ice — captivated the (Madison Square) 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.”
Palin and Duguay's daughter, Shay Thomas, posted several times over the past several months asking for prayers for him. His family started a GoFundMe earlier this year to offset the costs of travel and treatments.
The NHL Alumni Association in a post memorializing Duguay called his dedication and passion for hockey unwavering.
“It was a part of who he was, a lifelong love that he carried with pride and shared so generously with others,” the NHLAA said. “He will be remembered not only for the player he was, but for the extraordinary person he was.”
Long after his playing days, Duguay was known to another generation of Rangers fans for his role on broadcasts from 2007-18.
See AP’s full NHL coverage here
FILE - Ron Duguay of the New York Rangers Alumni team moves the puck into the offensive zone during the Winter Classic Alumni hockey game with the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni team, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek, File)
FILE - Former New York Ranger Ron Duguay introduces a performance by the cast of "Come From Away" at the 71st annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Michael Zorn/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - Sarah Palin is escorted to her car by Ron Duguay after leaving the courthouse in New York, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
FILE -Ron Duguay, center, of the New York Rangers Alumni team passes the puck past Bob Clarke, of the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni team during the Winter Classic Alumni hockey game with the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni team, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek, File)
FILE - Marty McSorley, left, of the Los Angeles Kings winds up before shooting the puck as teammate Ron Duguay, center, blocks out New York Rangers Carey Wilson during the first period of their National Hockey League game on Monday, Feb. 27, 1989 in New York. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm, File)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday accused LeBron James of disrespecting the United States after the NBA star appeared to continue his warmups while the national anthem was performed before Philadelphia’s season opener on Tuesday.
“I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE,” Trump said of James in a social media post sharing the video. “LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!”
James appeared to practice a golf swing and jump shot as “The Star-Spangled Banner” was performed Tuesday at New York's Madison Square Garden. James, starting his first season with Philadelphia, was lined up alongside teammates who mostly stood still during the anthem.
Trump and James have been critical of each other for years, occasionally trading public swipes.
James had not made a public comment or a social media post as of Thursday afternoon about Trump's gripe.
The 41-year-old James, in his record 24th NBA season, was set to make his home debut for the Sixers Thursday night against Cleveland.
Coach Nick Nurse had talked at length since training camp opened about the Sixers' need to tune out outside distractions. Hours before their home opener, the Sixers had to deal with one from the president.
“I think that goes right in with other outside noise we've already had,” Nurse said before the game. “I keep saying the same thing. All I really care about is getting to the practice floor, getting them in the film room, getting them to the game floor. The focus that they've had and the intent and all the stuff like that has been outstanding.”
Among some of the more notable times James became entangled with the president or politics:
James was with Cleveland in 2017 when he made a statement with his shoes — one black, one white, with the word “equality” in capital gold letters on the back of each.
Then, after the game, James made a statement about Trump, saying: “This is a beautiful country and we’re never going to let one person dictate how beautiful and how powerful we are.”
James had called Trump “ a bum ” on Twitter and also said earlier that season of the president: “He doesn’t understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United States for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement. He doesn’t understand that, and that’s what makes me more sick than anything.”
James showed determination to speak out on social issues and the nation’s political climate after Fox News host Laura Ingraham criticized the four-time NBA champion for his 2018 comments about social issues.
“We will definitely not shut up and dribble,” James said. “I will definitely not do that. I mean too much to society. I mean too much to the youth. I mean too much to so many kids that feel like they don’t have a way out and they need someone to help lead them out of the situation they’re in.”
James referenced Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Bill Russell and Jackie Robinson as athletes who previously spoke up for equality and change with no concerns about the consequences or any rewards.
“We know it’s bigger than us,” James said.
James was named The Associated Press’ Male Athlete of the Year in 2020 in large part for leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship and helping to persuade many — at the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement — who had never voted to finally head to the polls.
“I still know what I do on the floor and obviously, I give everything to the game,” James said. “But I can make a greater impact off the floor right now, more than I can on the floor. And I want to continue to inspire people with the way I play the game of basketball. But there’s so many more things that I can do off the floor to help cultivate people, inspire people, bring people together, empower them.”
AC Milan striker and former LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic blasted socially conscious athletes in a 2021 interview. Ibrahimovic called it “a mistake” for James and other athletes to get involved in political causes, saying they should “just do what you do best, because it doesn’t look good.”
James, naturally, rejected the criticism.
“I would never shut up about things that are wrong,” James said.
Associated Press writer Collin Binkley in Washington contributed to this report.
See AP’s full NBA coverage here
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James (23) drives as New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James, left, passes New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges after the 76ers defeated the Knicks 106-100 in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
