Dale Hawerchuk, a hockey phenom who became the face of the Winnipeg Jets en route to the Hall of Fame, died Tuesday at the age of 57 after a battle with cancer.
A teenage star, Hawerchuk was drafted first overall by the Jets in 1981. He played nine seasons in Winnipeg and five in Buffalo before finishing his 16-year NHL career with stints in St. Louis and Philadelphia.
Hawerchuk had 518 goals and 1,409 points in 1,188 regular-season games. He added 30 more goals and 99 assists in 97 playoff games.
"[He was] an instant and enduring star who captured the hearts of two hockey-loving cities, represented his country with class and distinction, and is one of the most decorated players in our game's history," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
Hawerchuk had a knack for creating something out of nothing.
Associated Press
