Detroit, MI – Alex Delvecchio, a revered figure for the Detroit Red Wings and an esteemed member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, has passed away at the age of 93. He was a cornerstone player who contributed significantly to the Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup three times in the 1950s.
According to a spokesperson for the Red Wings, Delvecchio died at his residence in Rochester, Michigan. The specific cause of death was not immediately released. However, his family provided a statement through the team, confirming that Delvecchio passed away peacefully on Tuesday, surrounded by his loved ones.
“Alex was more than a hockey icon. He was a devoted husband, loving father, great-grandfather, cherished friend and respected teammate to so many,” the family statement read. “While the world knew him as an incredible hockey player with numerous accomplishments on the ice, we knew him as someone whose humility, strength, competitiveness, kindness and heart were even greater than his known achievements.”
Delvecchio dedicated his entire National Hockey League career to the Red Wings, playing from 1951 through 1973. Over 1,671 regular-season and playoff games, he amassed a total of 1,325 points. Playing alongside the legendary “Mr. Hockey,” Gordie Howe, Delvecchio was a vital part of the championship squads that claimed the Stanley Cup in 1952, 1954, and 1955. His distinguished career also includes winning the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct three times and being named an NHL All-Star on two occasions.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977. Decades later, he was further honored by being named one of the 100 greatest players in the history of the league. Following his successful playing career, Delvecchio remained involved with the Red Wings organization throughout the 1970s, holding various roles including multiple stints as the team`s general manager, head coach, or both.
Delvecchio`s legacy is cemented in Red Wings history; he ranks third all-time in games played for the franchise, behind only Gordie Howe and Nicklas Lidstrom. His number, 10, is one of the revered numbers retired by the storied organization and hangs proudly from the arena rafters.