Ron Duguay, Rangers forward of the late 1970s and '80s, dies at 69

As of 8:43 a.m. ET, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026

Ron Duguay, who played 12 seasons in the NHL, mostly for the New York Rangers, died Thursday, Oct. 22, at 69, NHL.com reported.

"The New York Rangers organization mourns the loss of Ron Duguay, one of the most popular players in franchise history," the Rangers said in a statement. "We join the hockey community in sending our condolences to Ron's friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time."

Duguay had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, according to NHL.com, which said he had told the New York Post the cancer originated in the colon.

He played eight seasons with the Rangers, from 1977 to 1983 and from 1986 to 1988, and was on the team that reached the 1979 Stanley Cup Final, a five-game loss to the Montreal Canadiens, NHL.com reported. He had 620 points (274 goals, 346 assists) in 860 regular-season games for the Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins, and 53 points in 89 playoff games. He later worked as a Rangers analyst on MSG Network for 12 years.

The Rangers chose Duguay in the first round, 13th overall, of the 1977 NHL Draft, and he joined the team directly from junior hockey with the Sudbury Wolves, according to NHL.com.

"The NHL mourns the passing of Ron Duguay, a charismatic figure who made a lasting impression on the game," the league said in a statement.

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan, who played with Duguay for San Diego of the International Hockey League in 1990-91, called his death "a big loss for all of us, the Rangers organization in particular," NHL.com reported.