Ron Duguay

Early Life and Junior Career

Ron Duguay was born in Sudbury, Ontario, and grew up in the nearby community of Val Caron within the Valley East township, an area now part of Greater Sudbury. He developed his hockey skills playing at the Centennial Arena in Hanmer as part of the Valley East minor hockey association. His entire junior career was spent with his hometown Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League from 1973 to 1977. Duguay emerged as one of the team's top offensive threats, recording an impressive 134 points during the 1975-76 OMJHL season. That performance was instrumental in helping the Wolves capture the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as the league's top regular season team, though they ultimately fell to the Hamilton Fincups in the league final in six games. His play earned him a spot on Canada's national junior team for the 1977 World Junior Championships in Banská Bystrica, where he contributed one goal and four assists in five games, helping Canada secure a second-place finish behind the Soviet Union.

NHL Career with the New York Rangers

The New York Rangers selected Ron Duguay with the 13th overall pick in the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft, and he made the immediate jump from junior to the NHL without any minor league apprenticeship. Duguay spent his first six NHL seasons with the Rangers, becoming as famous for his long, curly hair and involvement in New York's night life as for his play on it. Team president Sonny Werblin involved him in promotional efforts to make the Rangers more visible in disco-era New York, including recording the song "Hockey Sock Rock" with teammates Phil Esposito, Pat Hickey, Dave Maloney, and John Davidson in 1979. On the ice, he set a Rangers record for the fastest goal to start a game, scoring just nine seconds into a contest against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 6, 1980. However, his production dipped to 19 goals the following season, and conflicts with coach Herb Brooks over his lifestyle and play led to his trade to the Detroit Red Wings on June 13, 1983, in a multi-player deal that also sent Eddie Mio and Ed Johnstone to Detroit for Willie Huber, Mark Osborne, and Mike Blaisdell.

Later NHL Tenure and Statistics

In Detroit, Duguay's career was revitalized as he became a key offensive contributor. He posted 33 goals and 80 points in his first season with the Red Wings, finishing third on the team in scoring. He followed that with a career-best 89 points in the 1984-85 season, scoring 38 goals and adding 51 assists to place second on the team in all major offensive categories. At the trade deadline in the 1985-86 season, he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Doug Shedden. His time in Pittsburgh was brief and less productive over parts of two seasons, and he was traded back to the New York Rangers in January 1987 for Chris Kontos, reuniting him with former teammate and then-Rangers general manager Phil Esposito. After re-signing with the Rangers in the summer of 1987, his second stint included a brief two-game assignment to the Colorado Rangers of the International Hockey League, marking his first time in the minors. Duguay finished his NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings during the 1988-89 season. Attempts to make comebacks with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1990 and the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992, where Phil Esposito was general manager, were not successful, ending his time in the league.

Post-Playing Career in Hockey

After his final NHL season, Duguay continued playing professionally in Europe and the minor leagues for several more years. He spent part of the 1989-90 season with Mannheim ERC in the German Bundesliga, playing 22 games. He then returned to North America for two full seasons with the San Diego Gulls of the International Hockey League. Following a brief retirement, he returned to play for the Gulls again in the West Coast Hockey League in 1995-96, recording eight goals and nine assists in 12 games. He explained his return was to help an injury-riddled team and to allow his children, who had been too young to see him in the NHL, to see him play. His final professional playing appearances came with the Jacksonville Lizard Kings of the East Coast Hockey League in 1998-99, where he skated in just one game before retiring again.

Duguay transitioned to coaching in 2003 when he joined the Jacksonville Barracudas of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League, initially playing six games as a forward before taking over as head coach. As a coach, he led the Barracudas to a league-best record and a playoff championship in the 2003-04 season when the team competed in World Hockey Association 2. The team later joined the newly formed Southern Professional Hockey League, where Duguay coached for parts of three seasons. His overall coaching record with the Barracudas was 92 wins, 92 losses, and 3 overtime losses, with a 6-3 playoff record. He resigned after the 2005-06 season, during which the team used more than 50 different players and finished with a 15-39-0-2 record, telling the Florida Times-Union he was "tired."

Broadcasting and Public Appearances

From 2007 to 2018, Ron Duguay served as an in-studio analyst for the MSG Network's television coverage of New York Rangers games, becoming a familiar face to a new generation of fans. He also appeared regularly on the network's weekly Hockey Night Live! program, providing commentary and analysis. His contract with MSG expired in 2018 and was not renewed, ending his 11-year run on the network. Duguay remained connected to the hockey community through various charity events and television specials. In March 2009, he played two games in the Eastern Professional Hockey League to raise money for the Garden of Dreams Foundation, famously skating without a helmet for one game with the Brooklyn Aces and assisting on a game-tying goal with 37 seconds left in regulation. That same year, he competed in the first season of CBC Television's Battle of the Blades, partnered with former world champion figure skater Barbara Underhill, to raise funds for World Vision Canada. He also participated in the 2012 Winter Classic Alumni game between Rangers and Flyers legends on December 31, 2011, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Personal Life, Relationships and Later Years

Ron Duguay's personal life often attracted media attention, particularly his distinctive appearance and high-profile relationships. His long hair, which flowed freely as he skated helmetless early in his career, became his trademark and was featured in a TV commercial for Sasson Jeans with teammates Phil Esposito, Dave Maloney, and Anders Hedberg. Duguay was married twice, first to California model Robin Bobo on December 1, 1983, with whom he had two daughters before their divorce. In the 1990s, he married former fashion model Kim Alexis, and the couple had a son, Noah, born in 1994, before divorcing in 2016. The family lived in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, after his marriage to Alexis. In early 2022, Duguay confirmed he was in a relationship with former Alaska governor and 2008 U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, which drew considerable public interest. In January 2022, he was photographed dining outdoors with Palin in Manhattan shortly after she had tested positive for COVID-19, an incident where a photographer was allegedly assaulted by Duguay after questioning the health risk.

In February 2026, Duguay's family announced he had been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2024, and a GoFundMe campaign was started to offset travel and treatment costs. The following month, he attracted media scrutiny for social media comments criticizing the New York Rangers' Pride Night event, suggesting it contributed to a team loss and describing it as "bad mojo" orchestrated by what he called "college brain washed up, woked kids." The posts were later deleted. Ron Duguay died from cancer on October 22, 2026, at the age of 69. His passing was marked by tributes from the hockey community, including a statement from the New York Rangers honouring his skill, tenacity, and charisma, and a social media post from Sarah Palin confirming his death.

Honours, Recognition and Legacy

Throughout his career and after, Ron Duguay received several honours that acknowledged his impact on the sport, particularly in his home region and with his primary NHL team. His junior team, the Sudbury Wolves, retired his number 10 sweater in recognition of his contributions as one of the team's top scorers and a local product who reached the NHL. In the 2009 book 100 Ranger Greats, which ranked the top players in the franchise's first 82 seasons, Duguay was listed at number 49 among 901 Rangers alumni, reflecting his popularity and productive seasons in New York. His legacy is also preserved through his statistical achievements and memorable moments, including his team record for fastest goal and his selection to the 1982 NHL All-Star Game. His involvement in unique cultural moments, like recording "Hockey Sock Rock," remains a part of the Rangers' lore from that era.

• Sudbury Wolves retired sweater #10.
• Ranked #49 among 901 players in 100 Ranger Greats (2009).
• NHL All-Star Game selection (1982) for the Wales Conference.
• Set New York Rangers record for fastest goal from start of game (9 seconds, April 6, 1980).
• Member of Team Canada for the 1981 Canada Cup tournament.
• Member of Canada's national junior team at 1977 World Junior Championships, winning a silver medal.
• Recorded vocals on the 1979 single "Hockey Sock Rock" with Rangers teammates.
• Participated in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game.

Questions about Ron Duguay

What teams did Ron Duguay play for in the NHL?

Ron Duguay played for four teams during his 12-season NHL career. He was drafted by and spent the majority of his time with the New York Rangers, playing there from 1977 to 1983 and again from 1987 to 1988. He was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1983, where he had his most productive offensive seasons, including a career-high 89 points in 1984-85. Later, he played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and finished his NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings in the 1988-89 season. He also attempted brief comebacks with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning but did not play NHL games for them.

Why was Ron Duguay famous beyond his hockey playing?

Beyond his on-ice performance, Ron Duguay was famous for his distinctive personal style, particularly his long, flowing hair which was visible when he played without a helmet, a common practice in the late 1970s. He became a celebrity figure in New York City's nightlife and popular culture, participating in team president Sonny Werblin's promotions to make the Rangers more hip. He appeared in a commercial for Sasson Jeans with teammates and recorded a novelty song. Later, he had a high-profile relationship with former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, which was confirmed in 2022. His work as a television analyst for the MSG Network from 2007 to 2018 also kept him in the public eye for Rangers fans.

Did Ron Duguay win a Stanley Cup?

No, Ron Duguay never won the Stanley Cup as a player. His deepest playoff run came in 1979 when his New York Rangers reached the Stanley Cup Final, but they were defeated. He did not win a championship during his subsequent seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, or Los Angeles Kings. His post-NHL coaching career included a minor league playoff championship with the Jacksonville Barracudas in the 2003-04 World Hockey Association 2 season.

What was Ron Duguay's cause of death?

Ron Duguay died on October 22, 2026, at the age of 69 after a battle with colon cancer. His family had announced in February 2026 that he had been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2024. A GoFundMe campaign was established to help with treatment and travel expenses. His passing was confirmed by the New York Rangers organization and his partner, Sarah Palin, who posted a tribute on social media.

What records did Ron Duguay hold?

Ron Duguay held a New York Rangers team record for the fastest goal from the start of a game. He scored just nine seconds into a contest against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 6, 1980. This specific team record was a notable achievement during his tenure with the Rangers. While he did not set major league wide records, his career best 89 point season with the Detroit Red Wings in 1984-85 was his highest individual offensive output. His overall NHL career spanned 864 games where he recorded 274 goals and 346 assists for 620 points.

What did Ron Duguay do after retiring from playing?

After his playing career, Ron Duguay first served as a head coach for the Jacksonville Barracudas in the minor professional Southern Professional Hockey League and its predecessor leagues from 2003 to 2006. He led the Barracudas to a playoff championship in 2004. Following his coaching stint, he began a broadcasting career, working as an in studio analyst for the MSG Network's New York Rangers television coverage from 2007 to 2018. He also regularly appeared on the network's weekly Hockey Night Live program. He participated in various charity events, including playing two games in the Eastern Professional Hockey League in 2009 to raise money for the Garden of Dreams Foundation and competing in the first season of CBC's Battle of the Blades skating competition that same year.

Sources and further reading

• Ron Duguay (Wikipedia)
• Former Rangers player Ron Duguay dies at 69 after a bout ... (abc7ny.com)
• Ron Duguay Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Title (hockey-reference.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.