Sarah Palin Moved to Tears During Tributes to Ron Duguay at Madison Square Garden
The former Rangers star was honored posthumously, with his family and girlfriend Sarah Palin in attendance.
Sarah Palin became emotional during tributes to her late boyfriend, Ron Duguay, at Madison Square Garden on Monday night as the New York Rangers honored the former franchise star. Duguay died last week at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer.
The Rangers held a moment of silence for Duguay before their game against the Los Angeles Kings, followed by a standing ovation from the crowd. Public address announcer Joe Tolleson remembered Duguay as "one of the most beloved players in franchise history," highlighting his "electrifying skating style, signature flowing hair and larger-than-life personality." Tolleson noted Duguay's impact extended beyond the ice, citing his charitable efforts and lasting legacy within the Rangers community.
During a second tribute, a video showcasing Duguay's career, the team brought his family onto the ice. In attendance were his daughters, Shay Thomas and Amber Stavros, his son, Noah Duguay, his grandchildren—Aiden, Jayden, Cole, Nora, and Ranger—and Sarah Palin. Palin, the former Alaska governor, was visibly moved to tears by the crowd's outpouring of support.
Palin had announced Duguay's death on Oct. 22 via social media. She had previously asked for prayers for him on her Instagram Story days earlier. "It’s with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now," Palin posted on X. "He fought so hard. Love never ends."
Palin and Duguay had been dating since 2022. During his eight seasons with the Rangers between 1978 and 1988, Duguay scored 164 goals and accumulated 340 points in 499 games. His popularity extended beyond his on-ice performance, becoming a cultural figure in New York.
He famously appeared in a Sasson jeans advertisement with teammates Phil Esposito, Anders Hedberg, and Dave Maloney, and was known as a fixture at the iconic Studio 54. Duguay's NHL career spanned 12 seasons, concluding with the Los Angeles Kings in 1988-89, and totaling 274 goals and 620 points in 864 games. After his playing career, Duguay worked as an analyst for MSG Networks from 2007 to 2018.