(WXYZ) — Detroit Red Wings legend and NHL Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay has died at the age of 93. Lindsay had been in hospice care.
Standing at just 5-feet-8 and weighing only 168 pounds, Lindsay was known as “Terrible Ted” and was part of the Red Wings’ “Production Line” with Gordie Howe and Sid Abel that won four Stanley Cups in 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955.
Below are the reactions from the Detroit Red Wings and several other NHL teams.
Chris Ilitch
“Ted Lindsay was a Detroit Red Wings legend and icon, a hall of fame hockey player and Stanley Cup champion, and an even better person off the ice. He operated with a generous heart and was a great humanitarian, particularly to the Detroit Community and to young disadvantaged children. Ted was a great friend to my parents and to my entire family. He was endeared by legions of Detroit Red Wings fans and to all who played the great game of hockey. On behalf of Marian Ilitch and myself, our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. While he will be sorely missed by us and many others, his positive impact to the game and to our community will live on.”
Ken Holland
“Ted was the most fearless hockey player of all-time, but his skill level could match up with any player from his era. The Red Wings organization would certainly not be held in the regard it is today if not for his contributions to four Stanley Cup championship teams and later as the team’s general manager. He was always a regular visitor to the Red Wings dressing room, and there was never a single player who didn’t go out of their way to introduce themselves and come away awed by the experience. I will treasure the many conversations we had over the past several decades and would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the Lindsay family.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman
"The National Hockey League mourns the passing and celebrates the incomparable life of the legendary Ted Lindsay. One of the game's fiercest competitors during his 17-season NHL career, he was among its most beloved ambassadors throughout the more than five decades of service to hockey that followed his retirement. In Detroit he was a civic icon.
"What Lindsay lacked in physical stature he possessed in intensity, desire and will to win. He played 1,068 NHL games for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, scoring 379 goals with 472 assists and 1,808 penalty minutes. He appeared in 11 All-Star Games and was named a First-Team All-Star eight times. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the League's scoring leader in 1950, and as a driving force on the dynastic Red Wings teams of the 1950s -- including as the left wing on the famed 'Production Line' -- he won the Stanley Cup four times.
"Named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966, he had his No. 7 retired by the Red Wings in 1991 and was named one of the NHL's Top 100 Players during the League's Centennial Celebration in 2017. As influential off the ice as he was on the ice, Lindsay was instrumental in the formation of the NHL Players' Association. In 2010, NHL players displayed their reverence for him by renaming their annual award for the most outstanding player the Ted Lindsay Award."
Brendan Shanahan
"We used to walk by this photo in Olympia room at Joe Louis Arena every day. It served as inspiration and brought many of Ted’s stories to life. If they play pick-up hockey in heaven, I’d like to think everyone is nervously doing up their chinstraps today. You were a giant Ted."
Montreal Canadiens
"Les Canadiens sont profondément désolés d'apprendre le décès de Ted Lindsay. Nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille Lindsay. The Canadiens are saddened to learn of the passing of Ted Lindsay. Our sincerest condolences to the Lindsay family."
Philadelphia Flyers President Paul Holmgren
"The Philadelphia Flyers joint he hockey community in mourning the loss of the legendary Ted Lindsay. As a player, he was a pure competitor who was as tough as they come and it directly led to all of his success. Ted's commitment to the sport and players extended well beyond his playing days. He was a true ambassador for the game of hockey. I remember him being at every league event and always fighting for what he thought would grow and make the game better. Our condolences go out to his entire family."
Toronto Maple Leafs
Courageous, hard-working and kind. An icon on and off the ice. The Maple Leafs join the hockey world in mourning the loss of Ted Lindsay. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
Courageous, hard-working and kind. An icon on and off the ice.
The Maple Leafs join the hockey world in mourning the loss of Ted Lindsay. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/v7vHcyjmCg
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 4, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins
"The Penguins join the hockey world in mourning the loss of Hall-of-Famer Ted Lindsay. His contributions changed the game and built some of the long-standing traditions we still practice today. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time."
Tampa Bay Lightning
"We join the rest of the hockey world in mourning the loss of Ted Lindsay, a legend of our game on the ice and a true ambassador off of it. Our hearts are with his family and friends. RIP, Mr. Lindsay."
Dallas Stars
"The Dallas Stars are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ted Lindsay. A great competitor on the ice, he was dedicated to improving the game for all who played it. His legacy will continue to live on through his contributions to the game."
Boston Bruins
"The Boston Bruins are saddened by the passing of Ted Lindsay. We mourn the loss of a hockey icon, whose impact and legacy - on and off the ice - will live on. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
New York Rangers
"Our #NYR family mourns the loss of Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. Lindsay and the Detroit organization."
Jack Adams
"Saddened to hear the news of Mr. Lindsey’s passing this morning. I’ll never forget the laughs we shared last summer in Detroit. you changed our game, Sir. Thank you #7 #TerribleTed
