Ron Duguay, NHL Alum and Sarah Palin’s Boyfriend, Dead at 69 After Cancer Battle
Hockey fans are mourning the loss of a memorable player.
Ron Duguay, who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League, died on Oct. 22 following a two-year battle with colon cancer, his loved ones confirmed on social media. He was 69.
Former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin, Duguay’s girlfriend of four years, wrote alongside the announcement, “It’s with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now. He fought so hard. Love never ends.”
Hailing from Ontario, Canada, Duguay was drafted by the New York Rangers in 1977 at age 20. Across his 12 seasons in the NHL—during which he played for the Rangers, the Detroit Red Wings, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings—the center accumulated 340 points, placing him 25th on the NHL’s all-time scorers and 34th in points.
During his tenure in the league, Duguay didn’t shy away from the spotlight, including appearing on the cover of Interview magazine in 1980, nor his heartthrob status.