Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Hay dies at 88: Tributes pour in for Stanley Cup winner and former Blackhawks star.

Posted: 26 Oct 2024 13:13 EDT | Updated: October 26, 2024 13:42 EDT

Bill Hay, former Chicago Blackhawks hockey star turned sports executive, has died at age 88.

Hay, a Saskatchewan native, played eight seasons in the National Hockey League, winning the sport’s ultimate award, the Stanley Cup, in 1961.

After playing, Hay had a successful career in hockey as an executive before becoming president of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Hay was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builders category in 2015, along with his father, Charles Hay, who was inducted in 1974.

Bill began his junior career with the Regina Pats, now of the WHL, in the 1952-53 season. He played briefly for the University of Saskatchewan’s hockey team before returning to the Pats in 1954-55.

Former Stanley Cup winner and Hockey Hall of Fame president Bill Hay has died at age 88.

From there, he moved to the United States and played for the University of Colorado. There he won a national championship and was named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament team in the 1956-57 season.

After playing professional hockey briefly in Calgary, Alberta, Hay made his National Hockey League debut with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1959-60 season.

In his rookie season, he scored 55 points and won the Calder Trophy, the league’s top rookie award.

The following season saw Hay make a name for himself along with wingers Bobby Hull and Murray Balfour on what was affectionately referred to as the ‘Million Dollar Line’.

Together, the three led the Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup title in 1961. This would be the third title for the franchise, keeping their most recent championship until the start of Chicago’s dynasty in the 2009-10 season.

Hay briefly retired after the 1965-66 season, but was convinced to return midway through the 1966-67 season. After being selected by the St. Louis Blues in the 1967 expansion draft, he retired for good and pursued a career in the oil business.

Hay stayed in hockey, becoming president and CEO of the Calgary Flames in the 1990s and went on to serve as president and COO of Hockey Canada.

In 1980, Hay joined the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee. He was later named to the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors. He served on the Board of Directors from 1995 until his retirement in 2013, serving as Chairman and CEO for 15 years.

Hay was president of the Calgary Flames, Hockey Canada, and a Hall of Famer for his career.

“Bill Hay came from a hockey family, won a Stanley Cup as a player, and then dedicated his post-playing career to growing the game at all levels and honoring its brightest stars,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.

‘As a Saskatchewan native, his influence transcended borders. He led the University of Colorado to the 1957 NCAA title as a First Team All-America forward. He joined the Chicago Blackhawks and became a pioneer of American college players playing in the NHL. He joined the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played eight seasons, winning the Calder Trophy in 1960 and centering a line with Bobby Hull on the 1960-61 Cup-winning team.

‘After retirement, he served as president and CEO of the Calgary Flames, COO of Hockey Canada and president of the Hockey Hall of Fame for 15 years.

‘Bill Hay, who was inducted into the Hall as a Builder in 2015, joins his father Charles Hay, who was inducted as a Builder in 1974, and lived an incredible hockey life that reflects the best of our sport.

‘The National Hockey League family mourns his passing and extends our deepest condolences to his family and many friends in hockey.’

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