Fans recall the tragic death of Pierre Turgeon daughter, Elizabeth Turgeon, as he gets inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Furthermore, the Montreal Canadiens welcomed their former captain to the Ring of Honor following his induction.
His consequent honors further ignited the 2010 incident of his daughter’s death that left him devastated.
What caused the death of Pierre Turgeon’s daughter? Who was at fault?
Pierre Turgeon, a name synonymous with Canadian ice hockey excellence, carved out a remarkable career in the NHL.
Turgeon was born on August 28, 1969, in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. His journey in the world of hockey began with a notable appearance at the Little League World Series in 1982.
Following this, the Buffalo Sabers drafted him as the first overall pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.
Turgeon’s illustrious career saw him play for several NHL teams, including the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche.
Furthermore, the 1992-93 Lady Byng Trophy winner bid farewell to the NHL on September 5, 2007.
Later, in 2017, the NHL saw him as the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Kings for a one-year stint.
Ultimately, the NHL veteran earned a well-deserved spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 13, 2023.
Pierre Turgeon Daughter: Who Was Elizabeth Turgeon?
Elizabeth “Liz” Turgeon, the daughter of Pierre and Elisabeth Turgeon, was born on July 24, 1992, in Long Island.
She grew up alongside her sisters, Alexandra and Valerie, and her brother, Dominic, in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado.
Described as an active and athletic young woman, Elizabeth embraced life with passion and success.
Her sociable nature and love for hockey made her a cherished friend among many. Moreover, she showcased her spirit on the ice with the same tenacity as her father.
Reportedly, Liz had a fearless approach to the game and fearlessly threw herself into corners to retrieve the puck.
Her evident passion and drive for the sport earned her spot on the 2008 USA Under 16 Hockey Team and contributed to their gold medal win.
Elizabeth was a graduate of Valor Christian High School. Later, the University of Minnesota even offered her a scholarship, recognizing her talent.
Moreover, she was an athlete and an avid lover of music and nature, finding joy in sunsets and embracing life’s wonders.
How Did Elizabeth Turgeon Die?
Tragically, Elizabeth Turgeon’s promising life was cut short in a devastating car crash just before Christmas on December 23, 2010.
According to reports, the 18-year-old was driving southbound when she failed to stop at an intersection near Vaughn, N.M.
She collided with the trailer of a northbound semi, resulting in her immediate death at the scene.
Meanwhile, her best friend and hockey teammate, Brittany Kraemer, survived the crash but sustained critical injuries.
However, the semi-truck driver emerged uninjured. The police cited dense fog as a contributing factor to the accident, along with Elizabeth’s failure to stop at the intersection.
In a 2012 interview, Pierre Turgeon expressed the enduring impact of his daughter’s loss, emphasizing that Elizabeth’s memory would forever be a part of their lives.
Albeit, the family found solace in their faith, believing that they would be reunited with her someday.
To honor Elizabeth’s legacy, the Junior Women’s Hockey League introduced the ‘JWHL Elizabeth Turgeon Player of the Year Award’ in 2011.
The award ensured that her spirit and passion for the game would continue to inspire future generations of female hockey players.
