Hockey Hall of Famer and Winnipeg Jets legend Dale Hawerchuk died after a battle with stomach cancer. He was 57.
Hawerchuk’s son, Eric, tweeted the news on Tuesday, saying: “My family is so proud of him and the way he fought.”
Condolences came in across the hockey community, including from former teammate Teemu Selanne. “What an incredible human being,” Selanne posted on Twitter. “I’m thankful that Ducky was my friend and I had a chance to talk with him yesterday and say goodbye. The world is not [the]same place without him.”
After an incredibly brave and difficult battle with cancer, our dad has passed away. My family is so proud of him and the way he fought. #HawerchukStrong pic.twitter.com/xZ1xcaqAOv
— Eric Hawerchuk (@EricHawerchuk) August 18, 2020
Hawerchuk took a leave of absence from his position as head coach of the OHL’s Barrie Colts in September after his initial diagnosis of stomach cancer.
The Toronto native was the first overall pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 1981 and went on to score 103 points as an 18-year-old, winning the Calder Trophy. His arrival coincided with the franchise improving from 32 points in 1980-81 to 80 his rookie season – one of the biggest turnarounds in NHL history.
You will be greatly missed, Dale. #HawerchukStrong pic.twitter.com/dQbsWBlbcp
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) August 18, 2020
Hawerchuk scored more than 100 points in six of his nine seasons in Winnipeg. He posted career bests with 53 goals and 130 points in 1984-85.
In 1990, he was the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade. He was sent to the Buffalo Sabres along with a first-round draft pick for Phil Housley, Scott Arniel, Jeff Parker and Buffalo’s first-round pick – which became Keith Tkachuk.
Hawerchuk averaged 1.13 points per game in five seasons with Buffalo before making stops in St. Louis and Philadelphia. In his final season in 1996-97, he went to the Finals with the Flyers, who were swept by the Red Wings. That was Hawerchuk’s only Stanley Cup Final appearance.
He finished with 518 goals and 891 assists in his 16-year career and was elected to the Hal of Fame in 2001.