Skip to content

Fred Sasakamoose, one of first Indigenous players in NHL and former Moose Jaw Canuck, dies at age 86

NHL legend was in hospital with COVID-19, tributes pour in from throughout hockey world
Sasakamoose
Fred Sasakamoose died at the age of 86 on Tuesday. NHL.com photo
Tributes poured in from the National Hockey League and throughout the hockey world after news that Fred Sasakamoose, one of the first Indigenous players in the NHL, had died at the age of 86 on Tuesday.

He had been recently hospitalized for treatment for COVID-19.

Sasakamoose was born in Debden, Sask. on Dec. 24, 1934. He would play four seasons with the Moose Jaw Canucks of the Western Canadian Junior Hockey League, emerging as one of the league’s top players and catching the eye of the NHL in his final season after putting up 31 goals and 57 points in only 34 games.

He was signed by the Chicago Black Hawks and played 11 games but was held without a point.

It was after his playing career that Sasakamoose became a true legend.

Returning home to the Ahathkakoop First Nation, Sasakamoose was a tireless advocate for sports in the community as he sought to give other the same opportunities -- and as William Douglas of NHL.com pointed out in his article, that led to “tournaments, leagues and sports days followed as a result of these initiatives, as well as the Saskatchewan Indian Summer and Winter Games.”

Sasakamoose also served on the NHL Diversity Task Force, as well as the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, a fitting role given his status as a survivor of the residential school system.

Saskamoose was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and was a regular guest of NHL teams after. He was named to the Order of Canada in 2017.

You can read Douglas’ full tribute right here.

 
push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks