Former Blackhawks forward and Hall of Fame executive Bill Hay has died

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Former Chicago Blackhawks forward and Hall of Fame executive Bill Hay has died. He was 88 years old.

Hockey Canada confirmed Hay’s death in Saturday’s edition. Hay was the organization’s president and chief operating officer from 1990-1995. No cause of death was given.

“Bill Hay led an extraordinary hockey life that reflected the best of our sport,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “The National Hockey League family mourns his passing and sends our deepest condolences to his family and many friends throughout the hockey world.”

Hay played eight NHL seasons in Chicago. In the 1959–1960 season, he was the NHL Rookie of the Year, scoring 24 goals and 30 assists in 70 games.

The Saskatoon center helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961. He scored 11 goals and 48 assists in the regular season and two goals and five assists in 12 playoff games.

Hay scored 113 goals and 273 assists in 506 NHL games. He was a two-time All-Star before retiring in 1967.

After retiring from playing, he remained in hockey, serving as president and CEO of the Calgary Flames from 1991-95, alongside his work at Hockey Canada.

He was also a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee from 1980-97 and a member of the hall’s board of directors from 1995 until his retirement in 2013, including 15 years as chairman.

Hay was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2015.

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