Cup champion won Norris three times

CHICAGO Hall of Fame defenceman Pierre Pilote, a three-time Norris Trophy winner who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961, died Saturday night. He was 85.

Pilote, from Kenogami, Que., played a total of 14 seasons in the NHL from 1955 to 1969, 13 of those with the Blackhawks and one — his final season — with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“The Chicago Blackhawks offer our sincere condolences to the family of Pierre Pilote as we mourn his passing,” the statement said. “Pierre was one of the most decorated defenceman in NHL history and was a valuable member of the 1961 Stanley Cup championship team.

“He will be remembered for his toughness, leadership and reliability on the ice — as proven by his captaincy and streak of 376 consecutive games played.”

Pilote served as team captain of the Blackhawks following their Stanley Cup winning season in 1961 to 1968. He played in 821 games and scored 477 points (77 goals, 400 assists) for Chicago.

On Sunday, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ team Twitter account said the team offers “sincere condolences to the family of legendary defenceman and former Leaf Pierre Pilote on his passing.”

Pilote is one of just eight defencemen in NHL history to capture the Norris Trophy three times (1963, 1964, 1965).

His No. 3 sweater was retired by Chicago along with Keith Magnuson’s in November 2008. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975.

“We are saddened with the passing of our father, but our family will always remember the Blackhawks organization for providing us with so many special moments,” the Pilote family said through the Blackhawks’ release.