Ex-rangers Forward Ron Duguay Dies at 69 After Cancer Battle

WHO:

Newsday - The New York Rangers organization called Duguay one of the most popular players in franchise history and praised his skating style, skill, tenacity, and charisma.

Newsday - Duguay and Sarah Palin had been in a relationship since 2022.

Newsday - Duguay’s children were daughters Shay Thomas and Amber Stavros and son Noah; he had the children with his two former wives, model Robin Bobo and Kim Alexis.

Newsday - Rangers television analyst Dave Maloney said Duguay was “a hell of a player” and “a good guy”; former Rangers beat writer Rick Carpiniello described him as outgoing and popular with teammates, but said some coaches found that he did not always play the system.

NHL.com - Rangers coach Mike Sullivan, who played with Duguay for San Diego in the 1990–91 International Hockey League season, called him “a great man and a terrific hockey player.”

NHL.com - The NHL Alumni Association described Duguay as having “an infectious smile” and said his family was his greatest pride and joy.

Daily Mail Sports - Ron Duguay was a hockey legend and Sarah Palin’s boyfriend.

NY Post - Ron Duguay was a 12-year NHL veteran and an iconic Rangers forward; his girlfriend was Sarah Palin.

WHAT:

Newsday - Duguay was one of the last NHL players to skate without a helmet.

Newsday - Duguay recorded two 30-goal seasons with Detroit.

The Cut - Duguay was diagnosed with stage-four cancer in 2024; it originated in his colon and later spread to his appendix and gallbladder.

The Cut - Palin said Duguay showed her around New York while she was there for her 2022 libel lawsuit against The New York Times, and described him as knowing the city and helping her when she was traveling alone.

Newsday - Duguay scored 274 goals and 346 assists for 620 points in 860 NHL games, including 164 goals and 176 assists in 499 games with the Rangers. He recorded 31 goals and 22 assists in 89 playoff games.

Newsday - As a rookie in 1977–78, Duguay had 20 goals and 20 assists in 71 games; his career high was 40 goals and 76 points in 1981–82.

Newsday - Duguay was born in Sudbury, Ontario, and selected 13th overall by the Rangers in the 1977 NHL draft; the Winnipeg Jets selected him third in the rival WHA draft.

Newsday - After his NHL career, Duguay played one season in Germany and two seasons in the International Hockey League, retired as a player in 1992, coached the minor-league Jacksonville Barracudas for four seasons, and later worked as a Rangers television analyst and club ambassador.

NHL.com - The 1978–79 Rangers included Ron Greschner, Steve Vickers, Dave Maloney, Don Maloney and Don Murdoch alongside Duguay and Phil Esposito.

NHL.com - The 1978–79 team reached the playoffs for the first time in two seasons.

NHL.com - Duguay tied the Rangers’ fastest-goal record, a mark also shared by Fred Cook and Jean Ratelle.

NHL.com - Rangers coach Mike Sullivan called Duguay’s death “a big loss for all of us, the Rangers organization in particular.”

NHL.com - Duguay was known for skating without a helmet, with his long, curly hair flowing.

NHL.com - The NHL Alumni Association said Duguay’s compassion and kindness extended beyond hockey and that he made people around him feel valued and appreciated.

NHL.com - Duguay scored nine seconds into an 8–3 win over the Flyers on April 6, 1980, tying a Rangers record for the fastest goal from the start of a game.

NHL.com - Duguay was traded to Detroit on June 13, 1983, returned to the Rangers in a trade with Pittsburgh on January 21, 1987, and was sent to Los Angeles on February 23, 1988.

NHL.com - Duguay appeared in a 1979 Sasson jeans television commercial with Phil Esposito, Dave Maloney, and Anders Hedberg.

ABC News - Duguay played nearly 1,000 NHL games.

IJR - Duguay played 12 NHL seasons, including two stints with the Rangers, and reached the 1979 Stanley Cup Final.

TMZ - Ron Duguay died “peacefully,” according to Sarah Palin’s Instagram announcement.

NY Post - Duguay’s daughter said her “heart is broken,” and fans and the NHL community shared tributes to his life on social media.

Daily Mail Sports - Duguay died at age 69.

NY Post - Duguay died at age 69.

WHERE:

Newsday - The Rangers lost the 1979 Stanley Cup Final to the Montreal Canadiens.

NHL.com - Duguay scored his nine-second goal at the Philadelphia Spectrum.

NHL.com - The Rangers eliminated the Kings and Philadelphia Flyers and defeated the top-seeded New York Islanders in six games to reach the 1979 Stanley Cup Final.

WHEN:

Newsday - Duguay revealed his cancer diagnosis in February; on Oct. 11, his daughter Shay Thomas asked for prayers in an Instagram post.

NHL.com - Fred Cook set the shared fastest-goal record on January 23, 1927, and Jean Ratelle did so on November 5, 1971.

US Magazine - Palin posted her tribute on Instagram Story on October 22, saying, “It’s with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now” and “He fought so hard. Love never ends.”

NHL.com - The 1978–79 Rangers clinched a playoff berth after going 40–29–11.

NY Post - Duguay died on Thursday.

WHY:

Daily Mail Sports - Duguay had battled colon cancer.

NY Post - Duguay died after a battle with colon cancer, according to Sarah Palin.

HOW:

Newsday - As part of rookie hazing, Duguay’s veteran teammates cut his long hair; it later grew back.

Newsday - Duguay was traded to Detroit in a six-player deal, later traded to Pittsburgh, returned to the Rangers, and was subsequently sent to the Los Angeles Kings.

NHL.com - The Rangers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final after eliminating the Kings and Flyers, then defeating the Islanders in the NHL Semifinals.

TMZ - Palin announced Duguay’s death on Instagram.

NY Post - Palin reported Duguay’s death.

Ron Duguay, the former New York Rangers star and longtime boyfriend of Sarah Palin, has died at 69 after battling colon cancer. Palin announced his death on Instagram, saying he fought hard and that she found peace in knowing he was with Jesus. Duguay was diagnosed with stage-four cancer in 2024, which began in his colon and spread to other organs. In 12 NHL seasons, he scored 274 goals and had 346 assists in 860 games, including two 30-goal seasons with Detroit. He was best known for his two stints with the Rangers, where he scored 164 goals and became an iconic forward. Duguay was among the last NHL players to skate without a helmet, his long, curly hair flowing behind him. He helped the Rangers reach the 1979 Stanley Cup Final, and later worked as a television analyst and club ambassador.