Bill Hay, who helped the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 1960-61 and was one of the great ambassadors of hockey, died at the age of 88.

Hay won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 1959-60, finishing 13th in league scoring with 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists). The following season, Hay – at the center of the “Million Dollar Line” with fellow Hall of Famers Bobby Hull and Murray Balfour – increased his point total to 59 while helping Chicago win its first Stanley Cup title in 22 seasons.

“Bill Hay was born into a hockey family, won the Stanley Cup as a player and then dedicated his playing career to growing the sport at all levels and honoring its brightest stars,” the commissioner said of the NHL Gary Bettman in a press release.

“Inducted into the Hall as a builder in 2015 — joining his father, Charles Hay, who was named a builder in 1974 — Bill Hay lived a remarkable hockey life that reflected the best of our sport. The National Hockey League family mourns his passing and extends its deepest condolences to his family and his many friends in the hockey world. »

Hay left hockey for the business world at the end of the 1965-66 season, but was convinced to return during the following season. Chosen by the St. Louis Blues During the expansion draft, Hay retired permanently after playing only eight seasons with career totals of 113 goals and 386 points in 506 games.

Hay found success in the oil business, but later served as chairman and CEO of the Calgary Flames. Like his father Charles, he also led Hockey Canada and later became president of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

He was inducted into the Hall in 2015 in the builder category. Charles Hay had been elected to the Hall 41 years earlier, also in the builder category.