Photo Credit: Colby Spence
It is a sad day for the Hawerchuk family, the hockey community and for folks in Winnipeg as Jets 1.0 legend Dale Hawkerchuk has passed away at the age of 57 according to his son Eric who tweeted the news. Hawerchuk had battled cancer and after finishing his final round of chemo back in April his son unfortunately announced at the end of July that it was back and his dad had another fight on his hands.
Almost 40 years ago on August 13th, 1981 he signed his first NHL contract at Portage and Main as the 1st overall pick of the Winnipeg Jets. He would spend nine years in Winnipeg as an absolutely force on the ice and if not for the Oilers and Flames would likely have led the Jets to a Cup or two in the 80s. He would play another seven seasons in the NHL with Buffalo (5), St. Louis and Philadelphia.
After retiring he would go on to become a coach with the Barrie Colts of the OHL and did some lobbying for the Jets organization to take a chance on a young centre on his Colts squad named Mark Scheifele who became the first ever draft pick of the re-born Winnipeg Jets. He even spent time working with prospects at Jets development camp.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence
Suffice it to say if you grew up in Winnipeg in the 1980s Dale Hawerchuk was an absolute legend.
As you’d expect there has been a large outpouring from the hockey community with the news of Ducky’s passing:
You can check out HawerchukStrong website with funds going to support initiatives close to Dale Hawerhuck’s heart.
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