Hockey Hall of Fame member Dale Hawerchuk passed away at the age of 57 on Tuesday after a tough battle with stomach cancer.
“After an incredibly courageous and difficult battle with cancer, our father has passed away. My family is so proud of him and the way he fought, ”his son Eric wrote on Twitter.
Hawerchuk was diagnosed with cancer after complaining of gastric reflux in August last year. He also underwent a gastrectomy, the removal of part of the stomach, in January, then completed his chemotherapy treatments on April 13. However, the disease recurred in July.
«[C’est] so sad, Teemu Selanne, another Winnipeg Jets alumnus, commented on social media. What an incredible human being. I am thankful that “Ducky” was my friend and I had the chance to speak with him [lundi] and say goodbye to him. This world is not the same without him. ”
In 1,188 National Hockey League (NHL) games with the Jets, Buffalo Sabers, St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers, Hawerchuk scored 518 goals and totaled 1,409 points. It is thus ranked 20th in the history of the circuit in terms of points. He was inducted into the Pantheon in 2001.
Hawerchuk was also head coach of the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OHL). Appointed in 2010, he put that role on hold when he learned he had cancer.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our head coach and friend, Dale Hawerchuk. On behalf of the entire Colts organization and our fans, our condolences and thoughts go out to the Hawerchuk family, ”the club responded on social media.
A tribute was paid to the deceased before the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Flyers, Tuesday in Toronto.
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