Blackhawks legend Mikita dies at 78
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[August 08, 2018]
Hall of Famer Stan Mikita, a
two-time NHL MVP with the Chicago Blackhawks, died on Tuesday. He
was 78.
Mikita, the all-time leading scorer in franchise history, had been
battling a form of dementia since 2015.
"With great sorrow, the Mikita family announces that Stan passed
away on Tuesday August 7, 2018 at the age of 78," the Mikita family
said in a statement distributed by the Blackhawks. "He was
surrounded by his loving family whom he fiercely loved. Details of
planned services will be released when they become available. We
respectfully ask for privacy at this time."
Mikita played center for the Blackhawks from 1958-80 and famously
teamed with fellow star Bobby Hull in Chicago.
He won back-to-back MVP awards (1966-67, 1967-68) and was the NHL's
leading scorer on four occasions during the 1960s. He scored 1,467
career points and ranks second in Blackhawks history with 541 goals.
Mikita was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983. There is a
statue of him outside the United Center.
"There are no words to describe our sadness over Stan's passing,"
Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said in a statement. "He meant so
much to the Chicago Blackhawks, to the game of hockey, and to all of
Chicago. He left an imprint that will forever be etched in the
hearts of fans -- past, present and future. Stan made everyone he
touched a better person.
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Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu (11) and Chicago Blackhawks
captain Martin Lapointe (22) greet hockey greats Tony Esposito (55)
Bobby Hull (2nd L), Stan Mikita (C), Yvan Cournoyer (2nd R) and Guy
Lafleur (10) before a NHL hockey game between the Chicago Blackhawks
and the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal, January 8, 2008.
REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA)
"My wife Marilyn and I, joined by the entire Wirtz family, extend
our prayers and thoughts to Jill and the Mikita family. 'Stosh' will
be deeply missed, but never, ever forgotten."
The Blackhawks went to five Stanley Cup Finals during Mikita's
career, winning the Cup in 1961.
Mikita also won the Lady Byng sportsmanship award twice as well as
being a nine-time All-Star.
He scored 150 points (59 goals, 91 assists) in 155 career playoff
games.
--Field Level Media
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