NHL veteran Claude Lemieux becomes American citizen after 20 years of living in the US

NHL veteran Lemieux becomes American citizen

PHOENIX — NHL veteran Claude Lemieux (leh-MYOO’) has become an American citizen.

The Canadian-born Lemieux swore his allegiance to the United States on Friday, saying beforehand that he wants to share citizenship with his family. His second wife and three of his four children are American.

The 43-year-old with four Stanley Cup titles came out of retirement in December to play for the San Jose Sharks.

Originally from Buckingham, Quebec, Lemieux has lived in the United States since 1989.

He says he has no enmity toward Canada, but wants to vote in the country he has called home for 20 years. He says he’s unsure if he can legally retain his Canadian citizenship.

Lemieux has lived in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley since he played for the Phoenix Coyotes in 2000.