Six-time Stanley Cup winner Ralph Backstrom has died. He was 83.
Backstrom’s death was announced Sunday by the Colorado Eagles, a minor league team he founded and served as president from 2003-07. No cause of death was announced.
Backstrom, the NHL Rookie of the Year in 1959, was part of three back-to-back championship teams with the Montreal Canadiens. The club won titles in 1959 and 1960, 1965 and 1966 and 1968 and 1969.
Backstrom scored 278 goals and added 361 assists for 639 points in 1,032 regular-season games over 15-plus NHL seasons with the Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks.
He had 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 116 NHL playoff games.
Backstrom left the NHL after the 1972-73 season to play four seasons in the World Hockey Association.
After his playing career ended, Backstrom coached Denver University’s college team from 1981-90 and guided the Pioneers to the 1986 Frozen Four.
He retired from the Colorado Eagles in 2007 after 53 years of involvement in hockey.
(Field Level Media)
