Ron Duguay’s latest health scare has put the former NHL standout back in the hospital just months after he revealed he has stage IV colon cancer.
According to an update shared by his daughter on social media, Duguay was found unconscious at home on Friday after a fall that left him with serious facial injuries and several knocked-out teeth. Paramedics took him to the hospital by ambulance, and she posted video from the scene along with the news.
“He fainted at home, was unconscious, injured a few parts of his face, and knocked out a few teeth in the fall… this time, it wasn’t from hockey,” she wrote on Instagram.
She said doctors later determined that he was severely dehydrated and had been having trouble eating because of how sick he had been feeling. They also found varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, internal bleeding, and an ulcer.
Cancer in his liver, along with earlier surgery and chemotherapy, had created dangerous pressure that backed up into his stomach. He is now receiving blood transfusions while doctors continue to monitor him.
Despite the setback, his daughter said he remains strong, positive, and full of faith. She also asked for continued prayers and said more updates would follow.
The family first disclosed Duguay’s cancer diagnosis earlier this year and launched a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses and travel for treatment. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has been by his side through much of the process, and the two have been linked since 2022, though they have never formally confirmed their relationship status.
Duguay played 12 seasons in the NHL from 1977 to 1989, skating for the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Los Angeles Kings. He finished his career with 216 goals and 320 assists for 536 points.
After hanging up his skates, he became a familiar voice on MSG Network, working as a popular Rangers analyst for more than a decade.
This latest hospital stay comes five months after he first went public with the diagnosis, and the family says it is staying focused on his recovery while appreciating the support coming in from the hockey world.
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