Former Chicago Blackhawk Passes Away

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 9:53 AM ET

Tragedy has struck the hockey world, as former Chicago Blackhawks player John Stanley Miszuk has passed away at the age of 84.

John Stanley Miszuk, a former NHL player and WHA defenceman, sadly passed away in the presence of family members on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The NHL Alumni Association issued a heartfelt post.

'John Stanley Miszuk, the NHL and WHA defenceman born on September 29, 1940, in Nalibaki (then part of Poland, now Belarus), passed peacefully with family at his side on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
Former NHL hockey player John Miszuk returned to his birthplace in Naliboki, Belarus, more than seven decades after his family was driven out during World War II. After spending part of his childhood in forced labour and refugee camps, Miszuk emigrated to Canada and started his remarkable journey to the NHL.

He is widely known for his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Minnesota North Stars between 1963 and 1970, and later for playing in the WHA-including the Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades and Calgary Cowboys from 1974 to 1977.

John and his wife, Cora, of 62 years, launched several Tim Hortons franchises in Hamilton, ON, following his retirement from hockey. Their ventures have been highly successful.

John was a dependable and steady presence on the blue line with the NHL Alumni Hockey Club Tour for 20+ years. His unwavering philanthropic commitment to his home community left a lasting impact.

We extend our heartfelt condolences and support at this difficult time to his beloved wife, Cora, his children-Kathleen, Tom, and Mary-and his cherished grandchildren, Steven, Nicholas, Hailey, and Morgan.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 1, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bay Gardens, 947 Rymal Road East in Hamilton, Ontario.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 2, at Christ the King, 714 King Street West, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a reception at Carmen's Banquet Hall - 1520 Stonechurch Road East.'

He was born on September 29, 1940, in Nalibaki. Forced out of his homeland as a young man during the Second World War, John Miszuk had been through refugee and labour camps before he moved to Canada, where he began his remarkable career in the NHL.

Miszuk played in the NHL from 1963 to 1970 with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the then-Minnesota North Stars.

He also played in the WHA, for the Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades as well as the Calgary Cowboys, from 1974 to 1977.

John Miszuk and His Wife Owned Several Tim Hortons Locations in Retirement

Following his retirement, Miszuk and his wife, Cora, built a successful post-hockey life by launching several Tim Hortons franchises in Hamilton, Ontario.

John leaves behind his children, Kathleen, Tom, and Mary, and his grandchildren, Steven, Nicholas, Hailey, and Morgan.

May John rest in peace, and we send our deepest condolences to all his friends and family.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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