Former Buffalo Sabres forward and Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk has passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 57.
In his 16-year NHL career with the Jets, Sabres, St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers, Hawerchuk went on to score 518 goals and rack up 891 assists for 1,409 points in 1,188 games. He was the first overall pick of the Jets in the 1981 NHL Draft, was the Calder Trophy winner in 1982 as the NHL's Rookie of the Year, and was also a Second-Team All-Star in the 1984-85 season. However, he was never able to win a Stanley Cup in his illustrious career.
Hawerchuk was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2001, and the Arizona Coyotes (originally the Jets) retired his No. 10 during the 2006-07 season. He was inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2012, along with Sabres play-by-play broadcaster Rick Jeanneret, in November of 2011.
In 2010, Hawerchuk became the head coach of the Colts in the OHL, where he served as both the bench boss and the Director of Hockey Operations. He served in those roles until his leave of absence this past September.
“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Dale Hawerchuk, an instant and enduring star who captured the hearts of two hockey-loving cities, represented his country with class and distinction, and is one of the most decorated players in our game’s history," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in a league statement.
“A prodigy almost from the moment he first donned skates in his native Toronto, the precocious Hawerchuk immediately dazzled at every level – from a legendary performance at the Quebec Pee Wee Tournament to leading Cornwall to his first of two Memorial Cup titles as a 17-year-old to being named Memorial Cup MVP and Canadian Major Junior Player of the Year in 1980-81. Selected first overall by Winnipeg in 1981, he won the Calder Trophy to commence a brilliant, nine-season career with the Jets that ultimately led to his No. 10 being honored by both the Jets and Coyotes. For his second act, upon being traded to the Sabres, he produced five superior seasons in Buffalo, where he also is considered a local hero.
“A revered leader whose commitment to charitable causes was tireless, Hawerchuk also was a force on the world stage, playing a pivotal role for Canada in both of its 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup triumphs. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001, Hawerchuk was in the midst of a similarly successful post-playing career as a coach and director of hockey operations of Barrie of the OHL when he became ill and was taken from us far too soon. We send our condolences to his wife, Crystal; their three children, Ben, Eric and Alexis; and countless teammates and fans who were fortunate enough to see him play and call him a friend.”