Former Rangers, Kings and Penguins fan favorite passes away at 72 years old

Former St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames forward Gene Carr has passed away at 72 years of age.

The native of Nanaimo, British Columbia managed 79 goals and 215 points over 465 career NHL games. He was seen as one of the most intriguing prospects in hockey history when he was drafted 4th overall by the Blues back in 1971. In fact, there were scouts at the time who predicted Carr would be drafted 1st overall ahead of future superstars Guy Lafleur and Marcel Dionne, that's just how talented he was from such a young age.

As his professional career began though, Carr struggled to produce. When he found himself on his third NHL team, the Los Angeles Kings, in his mid 20s he struck up a close friendship with Glen Frey, guitarist and frontman of the LA rock band The Eagles. This was the beginning of some wild and turbulent times for Carr. Somehow the kid from Vancouver Island was now friends with the likes of not only Frey, Joe Walsh and the rest of the Eagles but also Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, David Cassidy and John Mellencamp.

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Gene Carr, who played eight NHL seasons with five teams from 1971-79, has died. He was 72.

The former center had 215 points (79 goals, 136 assists) in 465 games with the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Atlanta Flames and 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 35 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

"Gene joined the Kings during my first year with the Kings," Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Miller said in a tweet Thursday. "At that time, you were really impressed with how strong a skater he was. In those days players did not wear helmets. One of the big reasons I feel Gene became such a fan favorite was how his golden blonde locks would flow as he skated up and down the ice.

"Beyond being very recognizable, his personality was outgoing and friendly. From a family perspective, I was happy he connected with a daughter many years later, something he did not hide. Rather he embraced that newfound relationship, even bringing her to a Kings game. I believe it was a role he relished and something special later in life."

RIP Gene Carr. Gone but never forgotten.