Celebrity ambassador for hockey has died of a heart attack while playing the game.

A Hollywood celebrity suddenly passed away on Tuesday night and the hockey world is reeling.

That's because former Growing Pains star Alan Thicke wasn't just a well known and well respected celebrity, but he was also a great ambassador for the game of hockey, a sport that as a Canadian born in Ontario in 1947 he absolutely adored.

Thicke was long associated with the sport of hockey through celebrity guest appearances in the National Hockey League as well as his long-standing friendship with NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky, and he could often be spotted attending King's games at the Staples Center.

Thicke died playing the game he loved, as reports are now claiming that he suffered a heart attack while playing hockey with his son, and it was that heart attack that would claim his life far too soon at the age of 69.

Several NHL organizations and the league itself have already expressed their condolences today.

[pub]