NHL Hall Of Famer Mikita Passes Away

The Chicago Blackhawks all-time leader scorer, Hall of Fame center Stan Mikita (pictured) passed away on Tuesday, according to his family.

Mikita played his entire 22-year career for the Blackhawks, winning the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 1961.  In addition to his nearly 1,500 points scored, he is also the team's all-time leader in games played with nearly 1,400 games played.

Mikita was born in Slovakia, but his family immigrated to Canada when Stan was a boy.  He joined the Blackhawks during the 1958-59 season and never looked back.  He won the Hart Trophy, given to the NHL's Most Valuable Player in 1967 and 1968.

His number 21 was retired by the team in 1980.  And became an ambassador for the Blackhawks during his retirement years.  He suffered from dementia in later years.

Stan Mikita was 78 years old.