Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk dies at just 57 years old

Legendary NHLer Dale Hawerchuk has passed away at just 57 years of age.

Hawerchuk's son Eric confirmed the awful news this morning on social media.

The 57 year old Hawerchuk was diagnosed with cancer last year and had gone through a Hell of battle with the disease over the past 11 months. In the end he battled cancer the way he played his NHL career, with a passion and a determination like few others. Unfortunately, sometimes cancer just can't be reasoned with no matter how strong your will to live is. RIP Dale Hawerchuk. 57 years old... my God that's so young. So sad. 

For those of you too young to remember Hawerchuk's playing days... he was remarkable. If it weren't for some guy named "Gretzky" we might be talking about Hawerchuk as the best pure point producer of the 1980s. He was that good.

Personally, I always admired Hawerchuk during his playing days. In fact, if there’s one legendary player from the past who doesn’t receive near the recognition that he deserves in the annals of hockey history, it’s the man they call “Ducky”. The former 1st overall pick in the 1981 draft scored an outstanding 518 goals and 1409 points in 1188 career NHL games and managed to put together six 100+ point seasons. Incredible.

He was a skilled and tenacious forward who starred for the Winnipeg Jets in the 1980s and then the Buffalo Sabres in the early to mid-nineties. Hawerchuk would finish up he career with the short stints for the St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers, as well. Hawerchuk was a battler in his NHL days, so it’s no surprise the fight he’s putting up against this awful disease.

For some of our younger fans who weren’t fortunate enough to see Ducky in action, check it out:

A remarkable player who left an indelible mark on the game. He'll go down in history as one of the all-time greats and one of the most gentlemanly players to ever lace up a pair of skates. RIP Dale Hawerchuk, gone but never ever, ever, ever, ever forgotten.