Stapleton, longtime Blackhawk, dies at 79
TORONTO » Pat Stapleton, a longtime NHL defenseman who famously kept an air of mystery over whether he possessed the puck from the winning goal of the 1972 Summit Series, has died. He was 79.
The Strathroy Rockets, a Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League team with which Stapleton was involved, said on its website he died Wednesday night. No cause was given.
Stapleton was on Canada’s Summit Series team in 1972 and is alleged to have claimed the puck from Paul Henderson’s series-winning goal over the Soviet Union.
Stapleton was usually coy when asked whether he indeed had what would be one of the most famous souvenirs in hockey. “They say I have it. We’ll keep that one going for a while,” Stapleton told the Toronto Sun in 2012.
“Few loved the game quite like Whitey, who was so proud to wear the Maple Leaf in the 1972 Summit Series and again in 1974 as captain,” said Tom Renney, CEO of Hockey Canada. “His infectious personality will be missed.”
Born July 4, 1940, Stapleton began his NHL career with the Bruins in 1961. Initially signed by Chicago, he was claimed by Boston in the 1961 intraleague draft.
After splitting time between the Bruins and minor league teams, Stapleton ended up in Chicago, where his career took off. He played eight seasons with the Blackhawks from 195666 to 1972-73, helping them to Stanley Cup final appearances in 1971 and 1973.
Webster, former Flyers assistant coach, dies
Tom Webster, the former NHL and WHA forward and head coach for the Rangers and Kings, died Friday at 71.
The Carolina Hurricanes announced Webster’s death. Webster scored 53 goals and helped the franchise — then the New England Whalers — win the World Hockey Association’s first title in 1972-73.
He was an assistant coach of the Flyers under head coach Terry Murray from 1994-96.
Kings ink MacDermid to 2-year extension
LOS ANGELES » Defenseman Kurtis MacDermid has agreed to a two-year, $1.75 million contract extension through the 2021-22 season with the Los Angeles Kings.
MacDermid has become a regular on the blue line for the Kings this season, getting three goals and five assists in a career-high 45 games.