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Hockey Hall of Famer and Jets Legend Dale Hawerchuk dies at age 57

Photo of Igor Burdetskiy Igor Burdetskiy Follow on X August 18, 2020
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The hockey world is deeply saddened today learning of the passing of Dale Hawerchuk; his son Eric announced over Twitter:

Dale Hawerchuk was only 57 and battling stomach cancer upon taking a leave of absence in September 2019 from his job coaching the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League.

The Winnipeg Jets took Hawerchuk with the No. 1 pick in the 1981 NHL Draft and he was an instant star, winning the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL after scoring 45 goals and 103 points in 1981-82 and becoming the first player to reach 100 points as an 18-year-old. The Jets improved by a then-NHL record 48 points from the previous season, finished second in the Norris Division and qualified for the playoffs for the first time.

He was a young prodigy who put up six 100-point+ seasons with the Jets while also making them a consistent Stanley Cup Playoff team throughout the 1980s. He also held the franchise career records for goals (379) and points (929) until Shane Doan, captain of the Arizona Coyotes and the last member of the original Jets still active in the NHL, surpassed them during the 2015-16 season.

Hawerchuk had more success internationally, helping Canada win the Canada Cup in 1987 and 1991. He won the face-off that led to Mario Lemieux’s winning goal in the 1987 tournament:

The Jets traded Hawerchuk to the Buffalo Sabres on June 16, 1990. He averaged 94 points in his first four seasons with the Sabres before injuries limited him to 16 points in 23 games during the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season. He signed with the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 8, 1995 but was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on March 15, 1996.

Hawerchuk helped the Flyers advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 1997, the only time during his 16-year NHL career that his team got past the second round of the playoffs. He retired soon after Philadelphia was swept by the Detroit Red Wings because of a degenerative left hip. He finished with 1,409 points (518 goals, 891 assists) in 1,188 NHL games.

Hawerchuk was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001, and his No. 10 was honored by the Coyotes on April 5, 2007.

Hawerchuk became the president, director of hockey operations, and primary owner of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League’s Orangeville Crushers in 2007. He left this position in 2010.

On June 4, 2010, the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League named Hawerchuk as their head coach and director of hockey operations.

Igor Burdetskiy

Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine
I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!
Igor Burdetskiy
Photo of Igor Burdetskiy Igor Burdetskiy Follow on X August 18, 2020
0 2 minutes read
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