Former Rangers All-Star Ron Duguay has died at 69 as Sarah Palin mourns her partner

Ron Duguay, the flashy former NHL forward who found love later in life with Sarah Palin, has died. He was 69.

Palin shared the news Thursday on Instagram. She wrote that he passed "peacefully" "after a hard fought battle with cancer" and said a celebration of life will be planned for a later date.

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

A final plea for prayers

Only days before his death, Palin had turned to her Instagram story to ask for support. She posted pictures of Duguay in a hospital bed, including one of the two holding hands, with the message "Prayers for Ron Duguay so appreciated."

Another image showed the couple gazing at each other as he rested with a tube in his nose. Text on that photo read, "I know God can. I'm asking Him to. And even if the answer looks different, I know by now to still hold on to Him."

His daughter Shay Thomas had also asked for prayers earlier in October with a photo she took at his bedside. After his death she wrote, "Our hearts are broken. We love you forever, Dad."

His cancer fight

Duguay learned he had stage IV colon cancer in 2024 and went public with the diagnosis in February. His treatment took place at the City of Hope cancer center in Southern California.

He and Palin bonded over their shared love of hockey.

A hockey life

Duguay was a first-round pick of the New York Rangers back in 1977. He earned an All-Star nod with the Rangers. Later stops included Pittsburgh, Detroit and Los Angeles, where he wore the jerseys of the Penguins, Red Wings and Kings.

The Rangers remembered him Thursday as "one of the most popular players in franchise history."

He also skated for the minor league San Diego Gulls and for Mannheimer ERC in Germany. After his playing days ended he spent a short time coaching.

His survivors include his children Shay, Amber and Noah.