Rangers honour late player Ron Duguay with emotional tributes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 12:38 · Archive

The New York Rangers paid tribute to former player Ron Duguay, who died aged 69 after a cancer battle, with his family and girlfriend Sarah Palin present.

The New York Rangers paid tribute to former player Ron Duguay on Monday at Madison Square Garden after his death the previous week. Duguay, who played as a centre for the Rangers, died aged 69 following a battle with cancer. The Daily Mail Sport reports he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in December 2024, which later spread to his liver.

Public address announcer Joe Tolleson told the crowd that Duguay was 'one of the most beloved players in franchise history'. He described Duguay's 'electrifying skating style, signature flowing hair and larger-than-life personality', noting he was a 40-goal scorer who helped lead the Rangers to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final and had become 'a New York icon'.

Duguay's family attended the game, including daughters Shay Thomas and Amber Stavros, son Noah Duguay and grandchildren Aiden, Jayden, Cole, Nora and Ranger, alongside his longtime girlfriend Sarah Palin. As the team showed a tribute video, Palin was visibly moved and wiped away tears during the crowd's cheers for Duguay. Palin had announced his death on social media, posting: 'It's with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now. He fought so hard. Love never ends.'

How it is being reported

• Sarah Palin reduced to tears by Rangers pregame tributes to late boyfriend Ron Duguay after his deathThe New York Rangers paid tribute to their legendary former player Ron Duguay after his death with his longtime girlfriend Sarah Palin visibly emotional.Daily Mail Sport · 27 Oct, 12:19
• Sarah Palin brought to tears by Rangers’ Ron Duguay tributes at the GardenThe Rangers paid tribute to Ron Duguay on Monday, honoring the former franchise star who died after a battle with cancer last week at the of 69.New York Post · 27 Oct, 01:21

In this story: Ron Duguay · Sarah Palin · New York Rangers · Madison Square Garden

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