Bill Hay, who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win a Stanley Cup in 1960-61 and was one of hockey’s great ambassadors, has died at the age of 88.
Hay won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 1959-60, finishing 13th in league scoring with 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists). The following season, Hay — centering the “Million Dollar Line” with fellow Hall of Famer Bobby Hull and Murray Balfour — upped his point total to 59 while helping lead Chicago to its first Stanley Cup title in 22 seasons.
“Bill Hay was born into a hockey family, won the Stanley Cup as a player and then devoted his post-playing career to growing the game at all levels and honoring its brightest stars,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
“Inducted into the Hall as a Builder in 2015 — joining his father, Charles Hay, who had been enshrined as a Builder in 1974 — Bill Hay lived a remarkable hockey life that reflected the very best of our sport. The National Hockey League family mourns his passing and sends our deepest condolences to his family and many friends throughout the hockey world.”
Hay left hockey for the business world at the end of the 1965-66 season but was convinced to come back during the following season. Chosen by the St. Louis Blues in the expansion draft, Hay retired for good after playing just eight seasons with career totals of 113 goals and 386 points in 506 games.
Hay enjoyed success in the oil business but later served as president and CEO of the Calgary Flames. Like his father, Charles, he did a stint as the head of Hockey Canada and later became chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
He was inducted into the Hall in 2015 in the builder category. Charles Hay was elected to the Hall 41 years earlier, also in the builder category.
