Three-time Stanley Cup champion Alex Delvecchio passes away at 93

One of the best players in the history of the game is no longer with us.

The Detroit Red Wings announced that Hockey Hall of Famer Alex Delvecchio died peacefully on Tuesday at the age of 93.

In a statement released by the Delvecchio family, they commended the talented center’s efforts on and off the ice.

“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.

“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.”

“Fats” is best remembered for his time with the Red Wings during their heyday in the 1950s, winning Stanley Cups with the Original Six franchise in 1951, 1954 and 1955. After fellow Hall of Famer Sid Abel retired in 1954, he took over as the middleman of the famed “Production Line” between legends Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay, a trio known for racking up points in droves, and being one of the most formidable lines in the NHL.

While he wasn’t the most gifted player, his ability to make plays and quickly get up and down the ice made him one of the more recognizable players in the sport at the time. Delvecchio was regarded as one of the classiest players to grace the ice, which led to him winning the Lady Byng Trophy three times in his cherished career.

After hanging up his skates during the 1973-74 season, the Fort William, Ontario native took over as head coach. He was the bench boss for the club for parts of four seasons, including serving as the general manager for a season, before leaving hockey altogether in 1977.

Delvecchio spent all 23 of his NHL seasons with the Red Wings, appearing in 1,550 games for the franchise, ranked third all-time in franchise history behind Howe and Nicklas Lidstrom. He’s third on the franchise list in goals (456) and points (1,281), fourth in assists (825) and game-winning goals (75).

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977, and in 1991, the Red Wings retired his number No. 10. He is one of eight players to have their number retired by the organization, along with Howe, Abel, Lidstrom, Lindsay, Terry Sawchuk, Steve Yzerman and Red Kelly.

Delvecchio was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy “for outstanding service to hockey in the United States” in 1974. He was also named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players in 2017.