Hockey Canada President and COO Passes Away, Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Hockey Canada lost a long-time executive as former President and COO Bill Hay tragically passed away at the age of 88 as announced by the organization.
It was a sad day on Saturday as the hockey world lost Bill Hay, a former NHLer and one-time President of Hockey Canada after passing away at the age of 88. Known for his passion and generosity, Hay was the backbone of Hockey Canada for years and was a big part of how Hockey Canada operates today. The organization put out an official release on Hay's passing as well.
A former NHLer with the Chicago Blackhawks from 1959-1967, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year and enjoyed eight seasons with the Blackhawks before transitioning into an executive role. Hay was also the former President and CEO of the Calgary Flames in the 1990s and was involved in merging the CAHA and Hockey Canada, which brought together the program and structure you see today.
Hay also had his own foundation entitled the Bill Hay Future Leaders Program which helped graduating college and university students find jobs in the sports industry and break into the executive side of the business. Bill Hay was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 and was also awarded the prestigious Order of Canada in 2021.
Bill, son of former NHLer Charles Hay, had a very solid NHL career thoughout his eight seasons with the Blackhawks. In addition to winning the Calder in 1959-60 with 18 goals and 37 assists in 70 games, Hay put together 113 goals and 273 assists in 506 games for his career and also centered the 'Million Dollar Line' in Chicago with the legendary Bobby Hull and Murray Balfour in only rookie year. He won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 1960-61, and retired quietly from the game after refusing to report to the St. Louis Blues after he was selected in the expansion draft by the new team.
Hay was also integral to the Hockey Hall of Fame, being a key factor in their Seaman Hockey Resource Centre; important in archiving the history of hockey and crucial for the growth of the game in Canada.
Bill Hay was a key figurehead in the evolution of the hockey programs you see in Canada today. Without him, we may not have the level of talent and exposure you currently watch each night and his impact will live forever.
Rest in Peace, Bill Hay.
We at HockeyPatrol would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Bill Hay during this difficult time.
