Former Detroit Red Wings winger Marty Pavelich has passed away at the age of 96. Pavelich was the oldest living player to play 100 career games or more in the NHL.
Pavelich was built through the Red Wings system. He began his career with Detroit’s juniors team, the Galt Red Wings, in 1946, where he played alongside future Hall-of-Fame goalie Terry Sawchuk. Pavelich’s strong juniors season earned him a call-up to Detroit’s minor-league affiliate, the Indianapolis Capitals, in the following season – a move he quickly vindicated by earning a full-time NHL role. Pavelich posted four goals and 12 points in 41 games as a rookie but quickly followed it with 26 points in 60 games as a sophomore. More importantly, Pavelich showed signs of strong grit. It was enough to inspire then-head coach Tommy Ivan to build a checking line around the forward that supported Detroit’s stars, serving as a big factor in the team’s run to the Stanley Cup in 1950.
That was the first of four Stanley Cups that Pavelich won with the Red Wings – having also joined the team for their wins in 1952, 1954, and 1955. Detroit boasted a fantastic lineup through it all, spearheaded by Sawchuk, Ted Lindsay, Dutch Reibel, and Gordie Howe. Pavelich certainly wasn’t on the height of his Hall of Fame teammates, but he knew the work he had to put in to make up for it. Even at the age of 96, he told the Detroit Free Press, “I may not have been the most talented member of those teams, but you were never going to outwork me.”
4 time Stanley Cup winner.
Rest in peace old timer.
He was a Red Wing lifer through and through. Was just diagnosed w ALS a few months ago so fortunately he didn’t have to suffer through the disease. RIP Marty P
As a kid, he gave me hockey stick and puck.
Never forgot it, a truly good guy
Rest in Peace, Mr. Pavelich. As @Motown is My Town said, we’re glad you didn’t have to suffer with ALS for long.
Rest in peace legend. 96? That’s one hell of run.
I see the draft contains all plus rated players. It is a hole in the present team that needs to be sealed up. Hopefully these prospects can keep their plus ratings as they progress through the organization, and end up on the Wings roster as points getters with plus ratings numbers. Three of these are desperately needed.