Sault hockey legend, four-time Stanley Cup champ Marty Pavelich dies at 96

Sault hockey legend Marty Pavelich has died Sad news out of the hockey world – Sault Ste. Marie-born four-time Stanley Cup winner Marty Pavelich has died at the age of 96.

Sad news in the world of professional hockey – Sault Ste. Marie native and four-time Stanley Cup champion Marty Pavelich has died.

Pavelich died peacefully in his sleep Thursday evening with his son, Andrew Hofley, at his side in Flower Mound, Texas, according to family. He was 96.

"We were watching baseball and I was holding his hand," Hofley said.

"A peaceful end to an extraordinary life."

His family said he was smiling and positive to the end.

Pavelich had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS,) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease in May.

Pavelich was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on Nov. 6, 1927 and played 10 seasons as a left-winger for the Detroit Red Wings between 1947 and 1957, tallying 93 goals, 159 assists and 454 penalty minutes in his 633 games.

The defensive forward played his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings, winning Cups in 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955.

“On behalf of the entire Red Wings organization I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the Pavelich family,” Red Wings owner Christopher Ilitch said in a statement.

“Marty was beloved by all those who knew him, including my parents, Mike and Marian Ilitch. He was an integral part of four Stanley Cup championship teams for the Red Wings in the 1950s and one of the hardest-working players of his generation. He will be greatly missed.”

Pavelich ties Joe Klukay, who died in 2003, for the most Stanley Cup wins for a Sault-born player and was chosen as an inaugural member of the Sault Ste Marie Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964.

He was also the last surviving member of Detroit’s 1950 championship team – a lineup that included Ted Lindsay, Gordie Howe and Red Kelly.

Following his hockey, Pavelich started a plastic injection molding company in Livonia, Mich. with friend and teammate Ted Lindsay.

In 1991, he moved to Big Sky, Mont. Where he enjoyed fly fishing and skiing. His family said he instantly fell in love with Big Sky – swearing never to leave.

Pavelich was instrumental in building the Big Sky Meadow ice rink which was renamed in his honor in 2022.

A memorial service is being planned at the Big Sky Chapel for late October or early November.