Former NHL Player Dating Sarah Palin Dead At 69

It’s with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now. He fought so hard. Love never ends

@RonDuguay10 pic.twitter.com/NJ5jWk6EEs

— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) October 22, 2026

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Sarah had just asked fans to pray for Ron on Thursday … sharing a heartbreak photo of him in a hospital bed while the two held hands. He battled colon cancer for about 2 years after first being diagnosed in 2024.

Ron rose to prominence after he was drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round of the 1977 NHL draft. Over the next two decades, Ron played for the Rangers — with whom he made an All-Star team — the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Los Angeles Kings. He also played for the minor league hockey team, the San Diego Gulls, and over in Germany with Mannheimer ERC, along with short stints for a few others.

After his retirement, he transitioned into a short coaching career … before eventually beginning a relationship with Sarah — whom she connected with through a shared love of hockey in 2021.

Ron was 69 years old. He is survived by his three children — Shay, Amber, and Noah.

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These beauties

skilled enforcers OG. @RonDuguay10 with nothing but love for teammates, rivals & the sport itself #loyalty #nhl #hockey @KnucklesNilan30 pic.twitter.com/TqjgYvNi6e

— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) October 22, 2026

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Duguay’s former team, the Rangers, shared a statement in the wake of his death on Thursday.

“The New York Rangers organization mourns the loss of Ron Duguay, one of the most popular players in franchise history,” the team said. “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.”

In February, the NHL legend’s daughters, Shay Thomas and Amber Stavros, shared that Duguay’s family had created a GoFundMe for him “because we’ve seen firsthand the weight this battle has placed on him, both physically and financially.”

“Our dad has never been someone who asks for help,” Thomas wrote. “Especially when it comes to money. He has always tried to handle everything on his own and didn’t want to burden anyone else with what he’s going through. But after many conversations as a family, we decided to create this fundraiser for him because we’ve seen firsthand the weight this battle has placed on him, both physically and financially.”

Duguay previously told Page Six that the cancer originated in his colon and has spread to his appendix and gallbladder.

“I find it extremely hard asking for funds for all these costs I’m going through,” Duguay told the outlet. “Normally, I’m helping others.”

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