Stan Mikita (Aug. 7, age 78)
Stan Mikita, a Chicago Blackhawks legend, died at age 78 on Tuesday following a long battle with dementia.
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“There are no words to describe our sadness over Stan’s passing,” the Blackhawks said in a statement shared by the Chicago Tribune. “He meant so much to the Chicago Blackhawks, to the game of hockey and to all of Chicago.”
Mikita’s family announced in 2015 that he had been diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies. He played as a centre for the Blackhawks for his entire professional career, from 1958 to 1980. He was considered one of the most prolific centres of the NHL during the 1960s. Mikita finished his career with 1,467 points and 926 assists.
Mikita — who last year was added to the list of 100 Greatest NHL Players — scored 541 goals for Chicago, the second most after Bobby Hull’s 604. The pair of players helped lead the Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup title in 1961. Mikita also propelled the franchise to eight division championships.
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