Sarah Palin’s boyfriend and hockey legend Ron Duguay has died at the age of 69 following a battle with colon cancer.
Palin, the former Alaska governor and candidate for Vice President, announced the news on social media on Thursday, writing: ‘It’s with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now. He fought so hard. Love never ends.’
Duguay was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in December 2024. The cancer later spread to his liver.
He played 12 seasons in the NHL from 1977 to 1989, most notably with the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings.
The Rangers said in a statement: ‘The New York Rangers organization mourns the loss of Ron Duguay, one of the most popular players in franchise history. Ron’s signature skating style – with his hair flowing as he moved down the ice – captivated The 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.’
Sarah Palin’s boyfriend and hockey legend Ron Duguay, seen in 2022, has died at the age of 69
The former Alaska governor and candidate for Vice President announced the news Thursday
Duguay played for the Rangers, Penguins, Red Wings and Kings across his playing career
On October 18, Palin asked for support for Duguay alongside a photo of her holding his hand in his hospital bed. ‘Prayers for Ron Duguay so appreciated,’ Palin, 62, wrote on Instagram.
In a separate post, Palin shared an inspirational quote alongside a photo of herself looking at Duguay.
His daughter, Shay Thomas, also shared a heartbreaking post earlier this month and emotionally pleaded with hockey fans to keep the icon in their prayers.
‘I wasn’t planning on posting anything. but I believe in the power of prayer, and right now, we need all the prayers we can get. And I know so many love him so much. Please keep our dad in your prayers. @noah_duguay @amberstavros’ Shay wrote.
She shared the message alongside a photo of her kneeling beside her dad’s hospital bed with her hand on his lap.
The family announced Duguay’s diagnosis back in February, setting up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds to support his treatment.
‘Because of his cancer, he hasn’t been able to work the way he normally would,’ his daughter wrote on the fundraising page.
‘Earlier in his treatment journey, the care he received in Florida nearly cost him his life. That led us to bring him to Orange County, where my sister and I live, so he could receive treatment here.’
Duguay was rushed to hospital in July after being found unconscious at home following a fall that left him with severe facial injuries.
The 69-year-old hockey icon fainted at his residence on July 24 before being transported by ambulance to a nearby medical facility.
Extensive medical testing revealed severe underlying complications tied to his ongoing cancer battle, including varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, internal bleeding and an ulcer.
The New York Rangers icon has been battling Stage 4 colon cancer for over a year
Former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, has been seen by Duguay’s side during treatment
She took to Instagram earlier this week to issue a desperate plea for prayers for Duguay
His daughter, Shay Thomas, also recently shared a heartbreaking post calling for prayers
Shay revealed at the time that the cancer in his liver – combined with the physical toll of surgery, chemotherapy, and a hepatic pump – caused severe pressure to build up inside the organ, backing up into his stomach and causing internal bleeding.
While Duguay and Palin have been closely linked since 2022 and she has frequently been seen at his bedside throughout his illness – including in family videos showing her feeding him in his hospital bed – the two never officially confirmed their relationship status publicly.
Duguay and his daughter opened up on his relationship with Palin in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail earlier this year.
Shay revealed they are ‘very close,’ adding that ‘they haven’t been able to see each other as much lately because of what my dad is going through, and Sarah also has obligations caring for her son, Trig, who requires additional care.’
‘I go there at different times,’ Duguay himself explained. ‘I help with her landscaping in the summer, and I help in the winter clearing a little bit of snow, so I happened to be there in October… but unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling myself, so I had to leave.’
While Duguay was undergoing chemotherapy treatment, he lost both his gallbladder and his appendix during his battle against the disease.
Duguay enjoyed a stellar 12-season NHL career from 1977 to 1989, making over 860 appearances across stints with the Rangers, Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings.
Drafted 13th overall by the Rangers in 1977, the forward became a fan favorite in New York.
He recorded 216 goals and 320 assists for 536 career points, highlighted by a standout 1981-82 season where he notched a career-high 40 goals.
Following his retirement from professional hockey, Duguay transitioned into broadcasting, serving as an in-studio analyst for MSG Network’s coverage of the Rangers for 12 years before stepping away in 2018.
