Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Hay dies at 88: Tributes for the Stanley Cup winner and former Blackhawks star

Bill Hay, a former Chicago Blackhawks ice hockey star and later sports executive, has died at the age of 88.

A native of Saskatchewan, Hay played eight seasons in the National Hockey League and won the sport's highest prize, the Stanley Cup, in 1961.

After his playing days ended, Hay went on to have a successful hockey career as an executive before eventually becoming chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Hay was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the “Builders” category in 2015 – along with his father Charles Hay, who was inducted in 1974.

Bill began his junior career with the Regina Pats in what is now the WHL in the 1952-53 season. He played briefly for the University of Saskatchewan ice hockey team before returning to the Pats in 1954–55.

Bill Hay, former Stanley Cup winner and president of the Hockey Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 88

From there he moved to the United States to play at Colorado College – where he won the national championship and was named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team in the 1956-57 season.

After briefly playing professional ice hockey in Calgary, Alberta, Hay made his National Hockey League debut with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1959–60 season.

In his rookie season, he scored 55 points and won the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie.

The following season, Hay made a name for himself on the so-called “Million Dollar Line” alongside wingers Bobby Hull and Murray Balfour.

Together, the trio led the Blackhawks to the 1961 Stanley Cup title. It would be the franchise's third title and would remain their most recent championship until the start of Chicago's dynasty in the 2009–10 season.

Hay briefly retired after the 1965/66 season before being persuaded to return midway through the 1966/67 season. After being selected by the St. Louis Blues in the 1967 expansion draft, he finally retired and pursued a career in the oil business.

Hay remained involved in hockey, becoming president and CEO of the Calgary Flames in the 1990s and then serving as president and COO of Hockey Canada.

In 1980, Hay joined the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee. He was later appointed to the Hall of Fame's Board of Directors, where he served from 1995 until his retirement in 2013, serving as Chairman and CEO for 15 years.

Hay served as president of the Calgary Flames, Hockey Canada and the Hall of Fame during his career

In a statement, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said: “Bill Hay was born into a hockey family, won the Stanley Cup as a player, and dedicated his post-career career to advancing the game at every level and honoring its greatest stars.”

“The Saskatchewan native pushed boundaries with his influence.” A First Team All-America forward, he led Colorado College to the 1957 NCAA title. He became a pioneer of American college players playing in the NHL when he moved to the Chicago Blackhawks, with whom he played eight seasons, winning the Calder Trophy in 1960, and teamed with Bobby Hull in the 1960-61 season won the cup, formed a regular formation.

“After retirement, he served as president and CEO of the Calgary Flames, COO of Hockey Canada and chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame for 15 years.

“Bill Hay was inducted into the Hall as a builder in 2015 – joining his father, Charles Hay, who was appointed as a builder in 1974 – and led a remarkable hockey life that reflected the best of our sport.”

“The National Hockey League family mourns his passing and extends our deepest condolences to his family and many friends throughout the hockey world.”