Ron Duguay was the long haired hockey star who made New York Rangers fans cheer and made newspaper writers smile. This Ron Duguay biography covers his early years, his family, his wife, his net worth, his hockey career, and his passing on October 22, 2026. If you want one clear page with the facts, you are in the right place.
Who Is Ron Duguay and Why He Matters
Ron Duguay was a Canadian hockey player and TV analyst. He played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League, the NHL, from 1977 to 1989. Most fans remember him in a Rangers sweater, with his curly hair flying behind him because he skated without a helmet.
So why does he still matter? Think of a hockey team like a rock band. Some players are the drummers who keep the beat. Duguay was the lead singer. He scored goals, but he also brought color, style and noise to the Rangers at a time when the team wanted more fans in the seats. He was called the Romeo of the Rink and, in one nickname, Mick Jagger on Ice. The Rangers called him one of the most popular players in team history.
Current Status as of October 23, 2026
This is the honest update. Ron Duguay is no longer with us. His family said he died after a hard fought battle with cancer. Earlier in 2026, news reports said he was being treated for Stage 4 colon cancer that had reached his liver, and his daughter Shay Thomas shared updates on Instagram when he was taken to hospital in July.
The New York Rangers said they mourn the loss of Ron Duguay and called him one of the most popular players in franchise history. The NHL Alumni group also paid tribute to him. He is survived by his daughters Shay Thomas and Amber Stavros, his son Noah Duguay, and several grandchildren.
Born: July 6, 1957
Drafted by the Rangers: 1977
Passed away: October 22, 2026
Ron Duguay Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ronald Duguay |
| Nickname | Doogie |
| Born | July 6, 1957, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | October 22, 2026, at age 69 |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Position | Center |
| NHL draft | 13th overall, 1977, New York Rangers |
| NHL teams | Rangers, Red Wings, Penguins, Kings |
| NHL totals | 864 games, 274 goals, 346 assists, 620 points |
| Children | Noah Duguay, Amber Stavros, Shay Thomas |
Ron Duguay Biography in Detail
Early Life and Family Background
Ron Duguay was born in Sudbury, a northern Ontario city known for hockey and cold winters. He grew up in Val Caron and spent time in the Valley East area, which sits inside Greater Sudbury today. He began skating at the age of three.
His junior career was spent with his hometown Sudbury Wolves from 1973 to 1977. In the 1975 to 76 season he scored 42 goals and 92 assists, and his 92 assists are still a Wolves season record. He also won a silver medal at the 1977 World Junior Championships. The Wolves later retired his jersey, which is a rare honor.
Parents
Ron Duguay was the son of an electrician. His parents backed his dream in a very real way, because they helped build an outdoor rink in the neighborhood so he could practice. A rink is like a garden: someone has to dig, water and care for it before anything grows. The names of his parents were not widely shared in trusted public sources, so this article does not guess them.
Education
There is no trusted public record of a college or university degree for Ron Duguay. What we do know is that he went straight from junior hockey in Sudbury to the NHL after the 1977 draft.
State of Origin
Canada does not use states. It uses provinces. Ron Duguay was born in the province of Ontario, in the city of Sudbury. Later in life he spent much time in the United States, working in New York for many years and living in Florida in his final years, according to news reports about his illness.
Age and Height
Ron Duguay was born on July 6, 1957, and he was 69 years old when he died on October 22, 2026. His zodiac sign was Cancer. He was 6 feet 2 inches tall, or about 188 centimeters.
Religion
Ron Duguay was a Christian. Hockey records say he became a born again Christian in the early 1990s. After his death, his partner wrote that she had deep peace knowing he is with Jesus now.
Career
The Rangers picked Ron Duguay 13th overall in the 1977 draft, and he jumped straight into the NHL. As a rookie he scored 20 goals. He then scored 27 and 28 in the next two years. On April 6, 1980, he scored a goal just 9 seconds into a game, which is still a Rangers record for the fastest goal from the start.
His best year came in the 1981 to 82 season. He scored a career high 40 goals and played in the 1982 NHL All Star Game. He appeared in the famous Sassoon hair commercial with teammates and often showed up in New York gossip pages. Not everyone loved the attention. Coach Herb Brooks clashed with him over his play and his night life.
He was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1983, and his game found new life there. Later he went to the Pittsburgh Penguins, then returned to the Rangers on January 21, 1987, in a trade for Chris Kontos. He finished his NHL days with the Los Angeles Kings, ending in 1989. He kept playing in the minor leagues for some time and also worked as a minor league coach, including with the Jacksonville Barracudas.
In 2007 he joined MSG Network as an in studio analyst for Rangers games, a role he held until 2018. He also skated in the Rangers alumni game at the 2012 Winter Classic.
| Team | Years |
|---|---|
| New York Rangers (first time) | 1977 to 1983 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 1983 to 1986 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 1986 to 1987 |
| New York Rangers (second time) | 1987 to 1988 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 1988 to 1989 |
Wife and Relationships
Ron Duguay was married two times. His first wife was Robin Bobo. His second wife was model Kim Alexis, and they stayed married until 2016. He began dating former Alaska governor Sarah Palin in 2022, and she was by his side during his illness. Palin shared the news of his death on Instagram. He leaves behind daughters Shay Thomas and Amber Stavros, son Noah Duguay, and grandchildren.
Net Worth
Many websites guess that Ron Duguay was worth around 2 million to 3 million US dollars. His money came from his NHL contracts, endorsements, minor league play, coaching and TV work.
Social Media
Ron Duguay used Instagram under the name ronduguay10. You can visit his page here: Ron Duguay on Instagram. You can also read the Rangers tribute through the team account here: New York Rangers on X.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Ron Duguay when he died?
Ron Duguay was 69 years old. He was born on July 6, 1957, and he passed away on October 22, 2026.
What did Ron Duguay die from?
His family said he died after a hard fought battle with cancer. He had spoken publicly about Stage 4 colon cancer that spread to his liver.
Who was Ron Duguay’s wife?
Ron Duguay was married two times. His first wife was Robin Bobo. His second wife was model Kim Alexis, and they were married until 2016. Later, he was in a relationship with Sarah Palin, who was his partner at the time of his death.
How many goals did Ron Duguay score in the NHL?
He scored 274 goals and 346 assists for 620 points in 864 regular season NHL games. His best season came in 1981 to 82, when he scored 40 goals.
Where was Ron Duguay born?
He was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in the nearby community of Val Caron and also lived in Valley East, both now part of Greater Sudbury.
How tall was Ron Duguay?
Ron Duguay stood 6 feet 2 inches tall, which is about 188 centimeters.
What was Ron Duguay’s net worth?
Online estimates place his net worth between 2 million and 3 million US dollars. No official figure was ever released, so treat these numbers as rough guesses.
Final Word
Ron Duguay was more than a goal scorer. He was a boy from Sudbury who turned a backyard rink into a place on the biggest stage in hockey. He scored 274 NHL goals, wore number 10 for the Rangers, and left a mark that fans still talk about because of his style, his smile and his heart.
His passing on October 22, 2026, at age 69, is a loss for his family, for Rangers fans and for the whole hockey world. His children, grandchildren and loved ones remain in many hearts, and a celebration of life is expected to be announced later.
