Ron Duguay obit

Duguay, popular Rangers player during late 1970s, dies at 69

Forward famous for long, curly hair skated 8 of 12 NHL seasons in New York 

He was not on the list.

Ron Duguay, who played 12 seasons in the NHL, mostly for the New York Rangers, died Thursday at the age of 69.

The former forward was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer that he told the New York Post originated in the colon, adding that he battled the disease for more than a year while losing his appendix and gallbladder.

"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.  "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."

Duguay is entrenched in Rangers lore and one of the most popular players in team history. He played eight seasons in New York (1977-83, 1986-88) and was on the team that advanced to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final, a five-game loss to the Montreal Canadiens. 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 (31 goals, 22 assists) in 89 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He retired from hockey in 2008-09 and was a Rangers analyst on MSG Network for 12 years.

"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. "We extend our deepest condolences to Ron’s family, friends and the many fans who admired him throughout the hockey community."

Duguay played junior hockey for his hometown Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, his 134 points (42 goals, 92 assists) in 1975-76 helping them win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as the team with the best record in the regular season (47-11 with eight ties) and the OMJHL finals, a six-game loss to Hamilton. He was selected by the Winnipeg Jets with the No. 3 pick in the 1976 World Hockey Association Draft, played for second-place Canada at the 1977 IIHF World Junior Championship and joined the Rangers directly from juniors after they chose him in the first round (No. 13) of the 1977 NHL Draft.

The 1978-79 Rangers, guided by coach/general manager Fred Shero with future Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Esposito and a young core that included Duguay, Ron Greschner, Steve Vickers, Dave Maloney, Don Maloney and Don Murdoch, went 40-29 with 11 ties to clinch a playoff berth for the first time in two seasons. Led by goalie John Davidson, New York eliminated the Kings and Philadelphia Flyers and upset the top-seeded New York Islanders in six games of the NHL Semifinals to advance to the Final. Duguay became famous for his long, curly hair flowing while he skated without a helmet, and joined Esposito, Dave Maloney and Anders Hedberg in a 1979 Sasson jeans television commercial known for the jingle, "Oo La La! Sasson."

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan, a teammate of Duguay with San Diego of the International Hockey League in 1990-91, said his death is "a big loss for all of us, the Rangers organization in particular."

"We know he was a very popular Ranger. I had the privilege to play with Ron as a teammate for a year in the International Hockey League," Sullivan said Thursday in Toronto. "A great man and a terrific hockey player.

"I grew up watching some of these guys when he played with the Rangers, and, you know, when I had the opportunity to play with him and Charlie Simmer. And two guys that had pretty successful NHL careers. It was the International Hockey League back in the day for those of you guys that are old enough to remember it. And I was in awe, those two guys, because I grew up watching them play in the NHL and just to have the opportunity to be one of their teammates was a great thrill for me as a young player."

Duguay scored nine seconds into an 8-3 win against the Flyers at the Philadelphia Spectrum on April 6, 1980, to tie a Rangers record shared by Fred Cook (Jan. 23, 1927) and Jean Ratelle (Nov. 5, 1971). He was traded to the Red Wings on June 13, 1983, reunited with the Rangers via a trade with the Penguins on Jan. 21, 1987, and played the final two seasons of his NHL career after he was sent to the Kings on Feb. 23, 1988.​

"Ron lived life with an extraordinary passion, an infectious smile, and a heart that was truly larger than life, the NHL Alumni Association said in a social media post. "Above all else, his deepest and most sincere love was for his family. They were his greatest pride, his greatest joy, and always closest to his heart.

"His dedication and passion for the game of hockey were unwavering. Hockey was more than a sport to Ron; it was a part of who he was, a lifelong love that he carried with pride and shared so generously with others. But perhaps what made Ron most special was his humanity. His genuine compassion, kindness, and willingness to help others always extended far beyond himself. He cared deeply, gave generously of his heart, and had a remarkable way of making everyone around him feel valued and appreciated."

In the NHL, Duguay was noted for his long curly hair which would blow behind him as he skated without a helmet. He and teammates Phil Esposito, Dave Maloney and Anders Hedberg appeared in a TV commercial for Sasson Jeans.

On December 1, 1983, Duguay married California model Robin Bobo; the couple had two daughters before their divorce. In the 1990s, he married former fashion model Kim Alexis. After marrying Alexis, Duguay moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The couple divorced in 2016.

In 2022, Slate and other publications referred to him as the "reported beau" of former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. In February 2022, Duguay confirmed that the couple was indeed dating. In January 2022, Duguay was seen dining outdoors with Palin in a restaurant, Elio's, on Second Avenue on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Palin had then recently tested positive for COVID-19. A photographer was allegedly assaulted by Duguay after the photographer questioned the danger of being in the company of Palin after her positive diagnosis.

In February 2026, Duguay's family announced that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2024.

From 2007 to 2018, Duguay was an analyst for MSG Network's television coverage of New York Rangers games, also appearing regularly on MSG's weekly Hockey Night Live! program. Duguay's contract with MSG expired in 2018 and was not renewed.

On March 21 and 22, 2009, nearly six years after playing his final professional game, Duguay played two games in the Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL), one game each with the Brooklyn Aces and the Jersey Rockhoppers, to raise money for the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit organization associated with Madison Square Garden.[20] Duguay signed a waiver and played his game with the Brooklyn Aces without a helmet, which allowed his hair to flow free as it did when he played in the NHL. With 37 seconds left in regulation, he assisted on the game-tying goal, but the Aces lost 4–3 in overtime.

In 2009, Duguay competed in the first season of the Battle of the Blades skating competition on CBC Television, partnered with Barbara Underhill. The charity he skated for was World Vision Canada.

On December 31, 2011, Duguay participated in the 2012 Winter Classic Alumni game pitting legends of the Rangers against the legends of the Philadelphia Flyers.

During Duguay's time with the Rangers, he took part in some of team president Sonny Werblin's schemes to make the Rangers more hip and visible in disco-era New York City. This includes singing on "Hockey Sock Rock", written by Alan Thicke. The song featured vocals by Duguay, Phil Esposito, Pat Hickey, Dave Maloney and John Davidson. It was released as a 45, as Platinum Records 1217–75 in 1979.

 

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season                        Playoffs

Season Team   League GP       G         A         Pts       PIM     GP       G         A         Pts       PIM

1973–74          Sudbury Wolves          OHA   59        20        20        40        73        4          0          3          3            4

1974–75          Sudbury Wolves          OMJHL           64        26        52        78        43        15        11        6            17        19

1975–76          Sudbury Wolves          OMJHL           61        42        92        134      101      17        11        9            20        37

1976–77          Sudbury Wolves          OMJHL           61        43        66        109      109      6          4          3            7          5

1977–78          New York Rangers      NHL    71        20        20        40        43        3          1          1          2            2

1978–79          New York Rangers      NHL    79        27        36        63        35        18        5          4          9            11

1979–80          New York Rangers      NHL    73        28        22        50        37        9          5          2          7            11

1980–81          New York Rangers      NHL    50        17        21        38        83        14        8          9          17            16

1981–82          New York Rangers      NHL    72        40        36        76        82        10        5          1          6            31

1982–83          New York Rangers      NHL    72        19        25        44        58        9          2          2          28

1983–84          Detroit Red Wings      NHL    80        33        47        80        34        4          2          3          5            2

1984–85          Detroit Red Wings      NHL    80        38        51        89        51        3          1          0          1            7

1985–86          Detroit Red Wings      NHL    67        19        29        48        26        —        —        —        —            —

1985–86          Pittsburgh Penguins    NHL    13        6          7          13        6          —        —        —        —            —

1986–87          Pittsburgh Penguins    NHL    40        5          13        18        30        —        —        —        —            —

1986–87          New York Rangers      NHL    34        9          12        21        9          6          2          0          2            4

1987–88          New York Rangers      NHL    44        4          4          8          23        —        —        —        —            —

1987–88          Colorado Rangers       IHL     2          0          0          0          0          —        —        —        —            —

1987–88          Los Angeles Kings      NHL    15        2          6          8          17        2          0          0          0            0

1988–89          Los Angeles Kings      NHL    70        7          17        24        48        11        0          0          0            6

1989–90          Mannheimer ERC       GER    22        11        7          18        38        3          0          1          1            20

1990–91          San Diego Gulls          IHL     51        15        24        39        87        —        —        —        —            —

1991–92          San Diego Gulls          IHL     60        18        18        36        32        4          0          1          1            0

1995–96          San Diego Gulls          WCHL 12        8          9          17        10        7          0          2          2            2

1996–97          San Diego Gulls          WCHL 2          1          1          2          0          —        —        —        —            —

1997–98          San Diego Gulls          WCHL 3          0          3          3          2          —        —        —        —            —

1998–99          Jacksonville Lizard Kings      ECHL 1          0          0          0          0          —        —        —            —        —

2002–03          Jacksonville Barracudas          ACHL 6          1          3          4          2          —        —        —            —        —

2008–09          Brooklyn Aces EPHL  1          0          1          1          0          —        —        —        —        —

2008–09          Jersey Rockhoppers    EPHL  1          0          0          0          0          —        —        —        —            —

NHL totals       860      274      346      620      582      89        31        22        53        118