Former Rangers Star Ron Duguay Collapses and Loses Several Teeth

Ron Duguay, a former star player for the New York Rangers, was taken to the hospital last week after fainting at his home. His daughter, Shay Thomas, shared the news on Instagram on Monday. Duguay, who is 69 years old, fell unconscious and knocked out several teeth when he hit the ground. He has been dealing with Stage 4 colon cancer since last year, which made his collapse even more serious.

Thomas explained what doctors found when Duguay arrived at the hospital. He was very dehydrated, meaning his body did not have enough water, and he had been struggling to eat because he felt so ill. Doctors also found internal bleeding, an ulcer, and a condition called varices, which are swollen blood vessels caused by pressure in the liver. These problems were linked to his cancer and the treatments he had been going through.

Because Duguay has cancer in his liver, pressure has built up inside that organ. That pressure can travel up into the stomach and cause bleeding. His doctors said the bleeding and liver pressure were the two biggest concerns at that time. The ulcer he was found to have still needed more tests to fully understand.

Even while dealing with such serious health problems, Duguay showed a sense of humor. He posted a photo on Instagram showing his knocked-out teeth, with the caption, 'Found my teeth on the bedroom floor.' His lighthearted post showed fans that he was still keeping a positive attitude. Many people who saw the post felt both worried and inspired by his spirit.

As of Monday, Duguay was still in the hospital and receiving blood transfusions to help his body recover. A blood transfusion is when doctors give a patient new blood to replace blood that has been lost. His daughter posted updates on a GoFundMe fundraising page that his family created to help pay for his medical costs. By Tuesday morning, the page had raised more than $160,000 from supporters.

Duguay had a long and successful career in the NHL, which stands for the National Hockey League. He was picked by the New York Rangers with the 13th overall pick in the 1977 NHL Draft and played parts of eight seasons with the team. Over his 12-year career, he also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings. He finished with 620 total points, including 274 goals and 346 assists, in 864 career games.