Chicago Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita died Tuesday.
"With great sorrow, the Mikita family announces that Stan passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, at the age of 78," the team said in a statement. "He was surrounded by his loving family whom he fiercely loved."
Mikita, who spent his entire 22-year NHL career in Chicago, won four Art Ross Trophies, two MVP awards, two Lady Byngs, and was a member of the 1961 Stanley Cup-winning team. He's the Blackhawks' all-time leader in points (1,467), assists (926), and games played (1,396), and ranks second in goals (541).
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and his No. 21 was the first number to be retired by the Blackhawks.
"There are no words to describe our sadness over Stan's passing. He meant so much to the Chicago Blackhawks, to the game of hockey, and to all of Chicago. He left an imprint that will forever be etched in the hearts of fans - past, present, and future. Stan made everyone he touched a better person," chairman Rocky Wirtz said.
