Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk has passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 57.
The face of the Winnipeg Jets for nearly a decade after being drafted by the team No. 1 overall in the 1981 NHL Draft, Hawerchuk also suited up for the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers before calling it a career after the 1996-97 season. By the time Hawerchuk hung up his skates, he had played in 1,188 career regular-season games while scoring 518 goals and recording 1,409 points.
The Jets legend had been coaching the OHL’s Barrie Colts before taking a leave of absence in September 2019 to undergo chemotherapy for stomach cancer. He finished treatment in April, but the cancer resurfaced last month.
In the wake of Tuesday’s news of Hawerchuk’s death, the hockey world took a moment to pause during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and pay tribute on social media.
My deepest condolences Eric!
I’m glad to have had the privilege of getting to know him personally through all his giving of himself in all his charitable events! We will all together continue to carry on his legacy https://t.co/cl4CXsxOdD— Ron Duguay (@RonDuguay10) August 18, 2020
Heaven received a Hall of Famer today.Dale Hawerchuck was one of the best both on & off the ice! He called me yesterday to thank me for our friendship & to say goodbye! He said he was at peace-holding back my tears I was truly honored to be a part of his final hours-RIP Dale
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) August 18, 2020
I’m so sorry for ur loss.. Incredible player, man, and person to everyone he met. I will always cherish the days I shared with him. He treated me like I was something special when he was the special one. #RIPDucky
— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) August 18, 2020
Keeping Coach Hawerchuk's family in my thoughts and prayers. You're always in my heart pic.twitter.com/CAHr6GkuQo
— Andrei Svechnikov (@ASvechnikov_37) August 18, 2020
Sad day today. So many wonderful memories together that I will always cherish. Thinking of his Family with this great loss. R.I.P Ducky pic.twitter.com/bVzQUbS7pg
— Doug Gilmour (@DougGilmour93) August 18, 2020
So sad what a incredible human being I’m thankful that Ducky was my friend and I had a chance to talked with him yesterday and say goodbyethis world is not same place without him,Eric you can be so proud of your dadThoughts love and prayers for all your familyRIP DALE https://t.co/SKVHfxSFkB
— Teemu Selanne (@TeemuSel8nne) August 18, 2020
Ugh So sorry! Your dad was a great teammate. Hall of fame player, Hall of Fame person! He will be missed! https://t.co/14rXsfUMwO
— Chris Therien (@ctherien6) August 18, 2020
Gone way way too soon. Really terrible news for the hockey world. RIP Dale Hawerchuk. https://t.co/sEVEIHEyPe
— Tony DeAngelo (@TonyDee07) August 18, 2020
Rest in paradise dale. My thoughts and prayers with the entire hawerchuk family, his legacy will never be forgotten
— Nazem Kadri (@43_Kadri) August 18, 2020
Eric so saddened by this news. Your Father was a wonderful person, teammate and friend. Our family sends our love and condolences to you and your family. https://t.co/dA8CtBbgCi
— Craig Simpson (@hnicsimmer) August 18, 2020
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