Former President of Hockey Canada Bill Hay passes away at age 88

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Daniel Lucente
October 26, 2024 (2:02 PM)

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Hockey Canada released a devastating statement today that their former President Bill Hay tragically passed away at the age of 88.

Tragic news has struck the hockey world that Bill Hay has passed away. Bill's professional hockey career started in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he had a distinguished eight-year campaign. In that time, he also added to his glory as he won the Calder Memorial Trophy for being the best rookie of the 1959-60 season. Then he added to his ice glory as he contributed to the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup in 1961 and was a two-time NHL all-star.

Bill continued to make his mark on the hockey world in a number of leadership roles after hanging up his skates. In addition to having served as chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame and as a member of its selection committee, he has led the Calgary Flames as its president and CEO. His influence extends beyond the rink well with the creation of the D.K. Seaman Hockey Resource Centre, aiding in the preservation and development of the history and knowledge of the game.

The most meaningful contribution off the ice by Bill was when he played an integral part in the merger between Hockey Canada and the then-Canadian Amateur Hockey Association back in the 1990s. Along with the stewardship of Murray Costello, this vision and leadership merged two parties into the modern Hockey Canada, which is still committed to date with growing and developing the sport from coast to coast.

More than the leadership roles, Bill was committed to developing the next wave of sports professionals. Indeed, he has afforded many fresh graduates with significant work experiences in the Bill Hay Future Leaders Program in the field of sport. Since its inception, the program touched the lives of many young professionals and continues to this date to offer career-shaping opportunities that strengthen the sports community.

In 2015, Bill Hay was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and invested in the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2021. He also received inductions into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame, the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. We give our hearty condolences to the family, friends, and all of those in whom he had invested his life in service for the love of the game of hockey as we celebrate the life and career of Bill. Rest in peace Bill.