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Pat Stapleton, a star in the NHL and Canada, dies at 79

The defenseman was coy about whether he kept the puck from a famous Canada Summit Series team victory.
 
In a 1971 game, the Blackhawks' Pat Stapleton, left, battles for the puck with the Sabres' Gilbert Perreault.
In a 1971 game, the Blackhawks' Pat Stapleton, left, battles for the puck with the Sabres' Gilbert Perreault. [ FRED JEWELL | AP ]
Published April 10, 2020|Updated April 10, 2020

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, died Wednesday night at 79. No cause of death was given.

The Strathroy Rockets, a Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League team with which Mr. Stapleton was involved, made the announcement.

Mr. 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.

Mr. 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,” he said in 2012.

“Few loved the game quite like Whitey,” said Tom Renney, CEO of Hockey Canada. “His infectious personality will be missed.”

Born July 4, 1940, Mr. Stapleton began his NHL career with the Bruins in 1961–62.

His career took off with the Blackhawks from 1965-73, when he helped them to Stanley Cup final appearances in 1971 and 1973. He was a second-team All-Star in 1966, 1971 and 1972, and was Chicago’s captain for the 1969-70 season.

“As a former team captain and member of the Blackhawks Alumni Association, Stapleton’s contributions to the organization will forever be remembered,” the Blackhawks said in a statement.

Mr. Stapleton spent time as a player in the World Hockey Association and took over as coach for the Indianapolis Racers in 1979, a team that included future NHL greats Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. But the Racers folded 25 games into the season.

Mr. Stapleton played 635 NHL games, totaling 43 goals, 294 assists and 353 penalty minutes. He had 27 goals and 212 assists in 372 WHA games with Chicago, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

Tom Webster, former NHL player and coach, dies at 81

Tom Webster, the former NHL and WHA forward who went on to coach the Rangers and Kings, died Friday. He was 71.

The 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 also was an assistant coach in Carolina, and son-in-law L.J. Scarpace was the team’s video coach..

“Tommy was down here a lot, over the past couple of years, just visiting,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “He talked to our group a lot, just telling old stories. He was a great man, that’s the best way to describe him.”

From Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Webster had 33 goals and 42 assists in 102 career NHL games with Boston, Detroit and California. He had 30 goals and 37 assists in 78 games for Detroit in 1970-71, then played 12 games for the Red Wings and Golden Seals the following season.

Webster then jumped to the WHA, where he had 220 goals and 205 assists in 352 games in six seasons with the Whalers. He was inducted into the World Hockey Association’s Hall of Fame in 2012.

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Webster was hired in 1986 to coach the Rangers, but developed an inner-ear infection that left him unable to fly. He resigned in April 1987.

He took over the Kings in 1989, and led them to their first division title — topping the Smythe in 1991. He was 115-94-31 in three seasons with the team.

“It is very sad news for our organization,” Kings president Luc Robitaille said. “Coach Webster was a great man and my head coach for three seasons. He was also a tremendous part of a lot of the success our team enjoyed when Wayne Gretzky was playing in Los Angeles in particular.”

Webster was known for his temper. In November 1991, he was suspended 12 games and fined $10,000 for throwing his stick and hitting referee Kerry Fraser in the foot, drawing the largest suspension ever for an NHL coach.

Webster later worked an amateur scout for the Flames.

“Webby was one of the best hockey men that our game has ever seen and I am honored to have known him,” Flames general manager Brad Treliving said. “More importantly, Webby was even a better man.”