Remembering Hawks legend Pierre Pilote

Pierre Pilote was the heartbeat of the Chicago Blackhawks for over a decade. The Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman won three consecutive Norris Trophies as the NHL’s very best blue liner in the 1960s and will forever be remember as one of the first defensemen to really open up the game by moving the puck and push the pace from the back end.

During Pilote’s heyday, most defenders were content to break up plays and simply let the forwards pick up the puck to skate up ice. But, because PIlote originally played center during his childhood, he was much more keen to carry the puck up ice, despite playing defense. "Pierre was Bobby Orr before Bobby Orr," praised Glenn Hall, the Blackhawks' Hall of Fame goalie. 

Pilote, humble as always, was quick to shrug off any comments about his style or contributions to the game. "I had a terrific partner in Elmer 'Moose' Vasko, who minded the store while I went up ice," Pilote said. "And we had guys like Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita, who knew what to do with the puck. Did they ever."

But, Pilote brought more than just his puck moving ability to the Hawks, he played with fire and passion, as well. "I had a few scraps," Pilote recalled. "One night in Montreal against the Canadiens, I got into it with Henri Richard. The next thing you know, here came his brother, Maurice, 'The Rocket.' That was interesting. Lucky for me, one of our guys, Harry Watson, arrived to help me out. There was more of that stuff then, and you had to establish yourself, or else."

Pilot was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975 and had his number raised to the rafters at the United Center in 2008. He remained a Blackhawks supporter through his twilight years and even began a friendship with Hawks superstar Duncan Keith. "Talk about a guy who can move the puck," Pilote gushed. "And he stays in shape year-round. In the summers, we did nothing."

RIP Pierre Pilote. Gone, but never forgotten.