The hockey community is mourning the tragic loss of a longtime NHL defenseman at the age of 93

We regret to announce the passing of former Chicago Blackhawks player Fred Hucul.

Hucul began his career in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks and would play four seasons in the Windy City. The Tuberose, Saskatchewan-born forward made his debut with the Blackhawks on March 3rd, 1951.

It wouldn't take long for Hucul to register his first point in the NHL, scoring his first goal on March 15th in a Blackhawks uniform.

After his time in Chicago ended, he continued his professional hockey journey in the WHL with the Calgary Stampeders and would join his brother, Alex, on the roster.

Hucul would spend more than a decade away from the NHL until the league expanded during the 1967-68 season, and would sign with the Blackhawks' longtime rivals, the St. Louis Blues.

It wouldn't take long for his career path in hockey to take a different route after the 1969-70 season, when he'd join the Blues' minor league affiliate as a coach.

After a long career in the game of hockey, he'd finish his professional career playing a total of 164 games in the NHL, scoring 41 points (11-30) and 114 PIMs.

Sounds almost like someone who has the intangibles and sticks up for his teammates.

He'd find himself retiring to the Southwest, in Arizona, settling with his family.

A tragic day, as we send our deepest condolences to the Hucul family, friends, and former teammates in these difficult times.