Longtime Blackhawks All-star and Hall of Fame Executive Bill Hay Passes Away at 88
Photo credit: Colorado Springs Gazette
We regret to inform you that a former Chicago Blackhawks legend has passed away.
Considered to be one of the best Blackhawks of all-time, and ranked #39 by BlackhawkUp, Bill Hay was announced to have passed by Hockey Canada.
Hay began his career in the NHL in 1959-1960 and saw him score 55 points( 18 G, 37 A) during that season, and would win the Calder Trophy for being the Rookie of the year in 1960.
He would become a part of a legendary line in Chicago, with Bobby Hull, and Murray Balfour. The line would earn the moniker the "Million dollar line", which Bill Hay would center.
This line would help the Blackhawks in 1961 with Hay adding 59 points to his name during the regular season( 11 G, 48 A) and during the Stanley Cup Playoffs would score 7 points( 2 G, 5 A) a reliable contributor for the team at that point.
After leaving the Calgary Stampeders in 1959, he would spend his entire NHL career with the Blackhawks and his final season in the NHL would be in 1966-1967.
The Chicago Blackhawks as you know won the Stanley Cup in 1961 with a bunch of young budding superstars. In the 61 playoffs, Hay was very solid with 2 goals and 5 assists.
Hay also was a leader which he of course displayed throughout both his playing career and his careers after hockey. He was an Alternate Captain for the Hawks after his rookie season.
Hay also was a leader which he of course displayed throughout both his playing career and his careers after hockey. He was an Alternate Captain for the Hawks after his rookie season.
Hay scored 113 goals and picked up 386 points in just 506 career games with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Hay would end up sticking with the game as he became the CEO of the Calgary Flames after his retirement. He'd also earn the title of President and COO of Hockey Canada as he would continue to contribute to the game of hockey long after his retirement.
In 1992 the Sasketchewan born Hay was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in his home province, and in 2015 was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Bill Hay led the discussions and negotiations to merge Hockey Canada and the CAHA into the Canadian Hockey Association (later to be called Hockey Canada) in 1998. He also played a significant role in working with the Seaman Hotchkiss Hockey Foundation on special projects, including Hockey Canada's Officiating Program of Excellence, the Ed Chynoweth Internship Program and the National Coach Mentorship Program.
His contributions to the game of hockey are a mile long, and as someone who stuck with the game more than 5 decades would you expect any less?
We send our condolences to the family, friends, and former teammates of Bill Hay as we mourn the loss of Bill Hay.
RIP
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