DETROIT – Thunder Bay legend Alex Delvecchio has died.
The former Detroit Red Wings captain, who played 24 seasons in the National Hockey League, was 93.
Delvecchio, an entrepreneur after his playing and coaching days were over, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.
Born in Fort William on Dec. 4, 1931, Delvecchio joined the Red Wings in 1950-51, and along with his Production Line teammates Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay, led the team to Stanley Cup championships in 1952, 1954 and 1955.
Over 1,550 career regular season games, he posted 456 goals and added 825 assists for 1,281 points, retiring after an 11-game stint in 1973-74, at the age of 42.
He was a three-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy as the NHL’s most gentlemanly player, and was a second-team all-star in 1953.
Post-retirement, Delvecchio spent parts of four seasons behind the Red Wings bench, posting an 82-131-32 record in 245 career games.
The Wings missed the playoffs all four seasons he was coach.
Delvecchio also served as Detroit’s general manager from 1974-75 to 1976-77.
His family posted a statement through the Detroit Red Wings social media accounts.
“Alex was more than a hockey icon, he was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, cherished friend, and respected teammate to so many,” the family said. “While the world knew him as an incredible hockey player with numerous accomplishments on the ice, we knew him as someone whose humility, strength, competitiveness, kindness, and heart were even greater than his professional achievements. For decades, your love and support meant everything to Alex and to all of us. We are deeply grateful and thankful to everyone.”
A cause of death was not immediately made public, though he died peacefully, his family said.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Delvecchio and the Red Wings were inseparable.
“Few athletes in any sport ever have been as synonymous with one franchise as Alex Delvecchio was with the Detroit Red Wings,” Bettman said in a statement.
"An elegant skater, deft playmaker and beloved teammate, he played every one of his 1,670 regular-season and playoff games in the NHL for the Red Wings. Then, upon his retirement from a career that included 13 All-Star Game appearances, the three-time Stanley Cup champion and three-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy served both as Detroit’s head coach and general manager.”
Bettman praised Delvecchio as one of the game’s greats.
“Delvecchio’s work as the centre on the famed Production Line with wingers Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay was pivotal to the Wings’ title runs in 1952, 1954 and 1955, and he served as team captain for 12 years. Voted one of the NHL’s Top 100 Players in 2017, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977. The Red Wings retired his No. 10 in 1991.
“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of this true legend of the game and extends its sincere condolences to his family and many friends and fans all over the hockey world.”
