Former NHL Star Ron Duguay Dies at 69
The former New York Rangers player, who was in a relationship with former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, passed away following a battle with stage-four cancer.
Ron Duguay, a former star player for the New York Rangers and partner of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, has died at the age of 69. According to his family, Duguay succumbed to stage-four colorectal cancer that began in his bowel and spread throughout his body.
His passing was announced by his family on social media. His daughter, Shay Thomas, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram alongside a hospital photograph holding her father's hand. "My heart is broken, but I also feel deep peace knowing that Ron is with Jesus now," Palin wrote in an Instagram story sharing the announcement, adding, "He fought so hard. Love never ends."
Duguay's family members had previously shared updates regarding his health battle over recent months. In February, daughters Shay and Amber launched a fundraising campaign to support him during his medical treatments.
The romantic relationship between Palin and Duguay first became public in 2022. Palin had previously finalized her divorce from Todd Palin in early 2020 after three decades of marriage, with whom she shares five children. Duguay was previously married to Robin Bobo, with whom he had two children, and later to model Kim Alexis, with whom he shared a son prior to their 2016 divorce.
Following news of his death, the New York Rangers released a statement honoring their former player, remembering him as one of the most beloved figures in franchise history. The club highlighted his distinctive skating style, marked by his flowing hair, which captivated fans at Madison Square Garden.
The team noted that Duguay's exceptional athletic skill, tenacity, and charisma earned him the widespread admiration of New York hockey fans throughout his career.