Chicago Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita died Tuesday. He was 78.
His family said he was “surrounded by his loving family whom he fiercely loved.” He had been diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia, which was revealed in 2015. The disease stripped him of memories, including the ones during his playing days which were remembered fondly by so many.
Mikita is the franchise leader in games played (1,396), assists (926) and points (1,467). He was an eight-time All-Star, two-time Hart Trophy winner and member of the Hawks’ 1961 Stanley Cup championship team. He also is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s 1983 class and has a bronze statue next to one of teammate Bobby Hull outside the United Center.
One of the greatest Blackhawks of all time, Stan Mikita.#ForeverABlackhawk pic.twitter.com/jOdghQic7g
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 7, 2018
NHL Network mourns the passing of Hockey Hall of Famer and @NHLBlackhawks legend, Stan Mikita. pic.twitter.com/OgIBFtuPA0
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 7, 2018
Stan Mikita was an all-timer on and off the ice.
More on the @NHLBlackhawks legend: https://t.co/eZhYFdQmb6 pic.twitter.com/aJRjhJh3Tx
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) August 7, 2018
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary Blackhawk Stan Mikita. Our thoughts are with his friends and family, and the @NHLBlackhawks during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/Nt48WgiUMq
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) August 7, 2018
“‘Stosh’ will be deeply missed, but never, ever forgotten.”
—Statement on behalf of Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz. #ForeverABlackhawk pic.twitter.com/22g99vnjnB
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 7, 2018
“Stan Mikita will be always remembered as a champion, an innovator and a master of the game. He embodied the Chicago Blackhawks.”
—Statement on behalf of Blackhawks President & CEO John McDonough. #ForeverABlackhawk pic.twitter.com/ed9WMQG97a
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 7, 2018
The White Sox join Chicago fans everywhere in sending our thoughts and deepest condolences to the Mikita family and the Blackhawks organization on the passing of Stan Mikita. pic.twitter.com/S4gNz6N5i5
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 7, 2018
The Bulls express their deepest condolences to the Mikita family and the entire Blackhawks organization. #ForeverABlackhawk pic.twitter.com/LIZnC0Wsl8
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 7, 2018
Everyone knows Stan Mikita for his incredible playing career, but he was generous with his time and energy too. In 1973, he teamed up with Gene Ubriaco to launch @ahihaorg for the deaf and hearing impaired — yet another part of his legacy. Rest in peace.
— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) August 7, 2018
EXCLUSIVE: #Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull reacts to the passing of his teammate & friend Stan Mikita @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/1XctINA0cD
— Ryan Baker (@RyanBakerMedia) August 7, 2018
Playing for the Blackhawks means the world to young players because we get to follow the greats like Stan Mikita. What he brought to the game will never be forgotten.
— Jonathan Toews (@JonathanToews) August 7, 2018
My condolences to the Mikita family. Stan was first class on and off the ice. The game will miss him and so will I. RIP. https://t.co/rAASL3FAVY
— Patrick Kane (@88PKane) August 7, 2018
“We are grateful for all Stan gave to us – his fans, his game, his admirers, his league and his city – and we mourn his passing.”
More from Commissioner Bettman: https://t.co/CC3876EVFO pic.twitter.com/cNpvFMlsPz
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 7, 2018
#OHL family mourns the loss of @HockeyHallFame’s Stan Mikita.
St. Catharines Teepees star played 3 seasons earning Red Tilson & Eddie Powers Trophy in 1959 before his legendary @NHLBlackhawks career.#OHLAlumni | https://t.co/ZKMbNZsZKW pic.twitter.com/egHb8zZQu3
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) August 7, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are towards Stan Mikita and his family. He is the definition of an @NHL legend. He will always be remembered. Thanks for having such a big impact on my life! RIP Stan❤️ #StanMikita
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) August 7, 2018
So sad to hear about the passing of Stan Mikita. My condolences to his wife Jill, Jane, Chris and the entire Mikita Family. Stan was a great man. A friend and a mentor to me since the early 80’s. He loved his family dearly… I will miss you my friend.
— Troy Murray (@muzz19) August 7, 2018
RIP Stan. My condolences to the Mikita family. He was a first class person all around. You will be truly missed.
— Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) August 7, 2018
One of @SInow‘s coolest hockey covers ever.
Stan Mikita, Jan. 31, 1966: pic.twitter.com/50aAFwQnax
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) August 7, 2018
Fun fact: Mike Ditka (and Bobby Hull) stood up in Stan Mikita’s wedding. pic.twitter.com/YyXznmbFYa
— Kevin Kaduk (@KevinKaduk) August 7, 2018
Stan Mikita was one of hockey’s finest ambassadors and left a lasting impact on the game. He was a driving force behind bringing hockey to the deaf, founding the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association. His legacy is one of kindness and putting others before himself #RIP21
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 7, 2018
Stan Mikita lived a couple houses down from my grandparents when I was growing up. My earliest memories of him are the nice gentleman we would talk to on walks. Chicago is fortunate to have been represented by such a class act. RIP pic.twitter.com/PJLFGY2fTV
— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) August 7, 2018
This was a pretty damn cool night for a then 23 year old producer. Only time I ever met Stan Mikita but he couldn’t have been nicer and more open to telling stories. Sad to hear about his passing today and how dementia had taken a toll the last few years. RIP Stosh pic.twitter.com/jMdhBuMvgv
— Nick Shepkowski (@Shep670) August 7, 2018
Stan Mikita usually was overshadowed by teammate Bobby Hull, but not always. In 2010, @suntimes_sports named Mikita the No. 1 Blackhawk of all-time. “I never publicly thought of myself as better than Bobby Hull,” Stan said. “But deep down I said, ‘I’m just as good as he is.'” pic.twitter.com/ByV7NCs4vW
— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) August 8, 2018
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) August 7, 2018
I wanted Stan Mikita’s Donuts to exist in real life so bad … Mike Myers on what got him to put Mikita in Wayne’s World is pretty great #RIPStanMikita pic.twitter.com/f5zHRgXaIQ
— Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele) August 7, 2018
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Stan Mikita today. Our sincere condolences go out to the Mikita family and the entire Blackhawks organization. Stan was the epitome of class and a great ambassador for our game. pic.twitter.com/JCAdBRzGUr
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) August 7, 2018
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Chicago Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mikita family and all @NHLBlackhawks fans. Stan will be greatly missed.
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) August 7, 2018
On and off the ice, Stan Mikita was a Hall of Fame person. pic.twitter.com/aNw8EB6Mgk
— LA Kings (@LAKings) August 8, 2018
#ForeverABlackhawk pic.twitter.com/QepPZZc1dk
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 7, 2018