Alex Delvecchio, who won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings and was enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame, died Tuesday. He was 93.
A Red Wings spokesperson and a statement from the family said Delvecchio died peacefully at his home in Rochester, Mich. A cause of death was not reported.
Delvecchio played his entire 1,550-game NHL career with Detroit, spanning 24 seasons from 1951-73. When he retired, he held the NHL record for the longest career spent with a single franchise.
In that time, during which Delvecchio played alongside NHL icon Gordie Howe, the Red Wings won three of their 11 Stanley Cups (1952, 1954, 1955).
Delvecchio totaled 1,281 points (456 goals, 825 assists) and was selected to the All-Star Game 13 times. He was captain of the Red Wings for 12 seasons, and he was a three-time recipient of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.
Delvecchio became the Red Wings’ coach upon retiring from his playing career in 1973-74. In parts of four seasons, he amassed an 82-131-32 record before resigning during the 1976-77 campaign.
“Alex was more than a hockey icon. He was a devoted husband, loving father, great grandfather, cherished friend and respected teammate to so many,” the statement from his family said. “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 knew achievements.”
–Field Level Media
