The hockey world is in mourning today as Dale Hawerchuk passes away at the age of 57 after a long battle with cancer. His son Eric announced the news on Twitter, receiving an outpouring of support from all around the hockey community.
One of the greatest, and perhaps most underrated players of all time, Hawerchuk played 16 years in the NHL. In 1,188 career regular season games he scored 518 goals and recorded 1,409 points, good for 20th on the all-time list. Though his Winnipeg Jets were routinely ousted from the playoffs by powerhouse Smythe Division opponents, there was never any doubt in Hawerchuk’s status as one of the game’s greats.
A Calder Trophy winner in 1982 after scoring 45 goals and 103 points as a rookie, Hawerchuk would record five more 100+point seasons in his career. A mid-career move to the Buffalo Sabres made him one of the greatest for two franchises, while he finished things with time in St. Louis and Philadelphia.
In his post-playing career, Hawerchuk had been a long-time head coach of the Barrie Colts of the OHL and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.
From everyone at PHR, we wish the best for the Hawerchuk family and mourn the loss of one of hockey’s giants far too early.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
My deepest condolences to the Hawerchuk family on your loss.
My sincere condolences goes out to the family of Dale Hawerchuk , to the Winnipeg Jets, and teammates of a great old school hockey player whom I enjoyed watching for many years. Rest In Peace Dale.
Old enough to have seen him play live. Great hands. Light on his feet. Deadly anywhere near the net. Amazing talent. RIP ducky.
Was a great player, coach and ambassador for the game.Thouroughly enjoyed his leadership on and off the ice.He will leave a void in the hockey world.My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.
Way to young to pass away. God rest his soul. Great player who played with heart and soul.
Tough watching guys you grew up watching pass on. He was a great talent. Rest In Peace.
RIP Dale Hawerchuk. I was a huge fan of you as a kid. Hated to see you go to the Sabres for Housley at the time.
He was one of the good guys.
pure beast on the ice, rip
Good people dying young is the second worst thing in the world. RIP.
My VERY 1st NHL game was Game 3 of the Smythe Division Semi-Finals during the 1988 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Jets vs. Oilers – Hawerchuk vs. Gretzky – a 6 – 4 Jets victory!!! I was hooked! Thank you, Ducky!