Alex Delvecchio, the longtime center for fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Gordie Howe with the Detroit Red Wings, died on Tuesday. He was 93
On their social media account, the Red Wings posted a statement from the Delvecchio family.
“Alex was more than a hockey icon, he was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, cherished friend, and respected teammate to so many,” the family said. “While the world knew him as an incredible hockey player with numerous accomplishments on the ice, we knew him as someone whose humility, strength, competitiveness, kindness and heart were even greater than his professional achievements. For decades, your love and support meant everything to Alex and to all of us. We are deeply grateful and thankful to everyone.”
A native of Fort William, Ontario, Delvecchio didn’t learn to skate until he was 12, but stepped into the Red Wings lineup for good in 1951-52 at age 19 after one season in major junior hockey and six games with Detroit’s American Hockey League team in Indianapolis.
He spent 24 seasons with Detroit, most of them with Howe on his right side. Delvecchio replaced Sid Abel in the middle of the famed “Production Line” between Howe and Ted Lindsay and was a key member of the Red Wings’ Stanley Cup-winning teams in 1952, 1954 and 1955.