Blackhawks Legend, Stan Mikita, Dies At The Age Of 78

“There are no words to describe our sadness over Stan’s passing. He meant so much to the Chicago Blackhawks, to the game of hockey, and to all of Chicago. He left an imprint that will forever be etched in the hearts of fans – past, present and future. Stan made everyone he touched a better person. My wife Marilyn and I, joined by the entire Wirtz family, extend our prayers and thoughts to Jill and the Mikita family. ‘Stosh’ will be deeply missed, but never, ever forgotten.”–Rocky Wirtz

A sad day here in Chicago and across the hockey community as we lost a legend. A captain, a champion, and a foundational piece in the history of the Blackhawks franchise. Mikita played his entire 22 year career with the Chicago Blackhawks and was the perfect compliment on and off the ice to the Golden Jet, in the Blackhawks first “Golden Era”. Mikita won a Stanley Cup, 4 Art Ross Trophies, a Hart Trophy, and he is the Blackhawks all-time leading scorer. Even with his #21 hanging in the rafters and a statue outside the United Center, sometimes it feels as though he is still overlooked when it comes to legendary Chicago athletes. Make no mistake, Mikita is a GIANT in a city with transcendant sports stars. I am so glad that he was able to be welcomed back to the Blackhawks family at the end of his life and be rightfully embraced and celebrated.

Advertisement

On a personal note, my grandfather suffered from a very similar disease at the end of his life. Mikita was a victim of Lewy Bodies Dementia. His decline came rapidly and in 2015 it was reported that Mikita had no more memories of his days with the Blackhawks or even his own identity. His wife was quoted as saying “the Stan we know is gone”. In that situation the body can become a prison. He’s now free of that body, and I hope that in time both he and his family have an enduring peace and nothing but memories of the good times. RIP Stan.