Six-time Cup winner, former Montreal Canadien Ralph Backstrom passes away

Some sad news out of the hockey world on Sunday as former Montreal Canadien center Ralph Backstrom has passed away at the age of 83 following a lengthy illness.

The Kirkland Lake, Ontario native was a six-time Stanley Cup champion with Montreal in the late 1950's and 1960's. Backstrom was also the recipient of the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year following the 1958-59 season.

He spent parts of 17 seasons in the NHL with Montreal, Los Angeles, and Chicago. In 1032 regular season games, Backstrom tallied 639 points (278 G, 361 A), 386 penalty minutes, and was a -13. In 116 career playoff games, he had 59 points (27 G, 32 A), and 68 penalty minutes.

Backstrom represented Canada once in his career, at the 1974 Summit Series. In 8 games, he recorded 7 points (3 G, 4 A), and 10 penalty minutes as Canada finished the Summit Series with 1 win, 3 ties, and 4 losses.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Backstrom family at this time.

Ralph Backstrom, the 1959 Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year and a six-time Stanley Cup winner with the @CanadiensMTL, died Sunday. He was 83.https://t.co/5ojMnL7QEw— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) February 8, 2021

Source: NHL/Dave Stubbs

MUST READ

2 hours ago  |  By Tyler Ball Edmonton Oilers Analyst Believes the Team Should Pursue Top-10 NHL Scoring Defenseman

4 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Young Goaltender Max Akerson Tragically Passes Away From Terminal Disease

5 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Patrik Laine Involved in Scary Knee-to-Knee Collision With Teammate During Practice

10 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Columbus Blue Jackets Place Massive 6-Foot-5 Centre on the NHL Waiver Wire

10 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Elliotte Friedman Links Montreal Canadiens Top-Five Pick to a Metro Team in Unexpected Trade Rumour

11 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Chicago Bears Fire Head Coach Matt Eberflus After the Official City Account Demands He Be Replaced

12 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker New York Rangers Reportedly Pursuing Trade for 100-Point Western Conference Forward

13 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Toronto Maple Leafs Run Into Major Obstacle With Mitch Marner Contract Talks

MORE STORIES