Free Republic

Stan Mikita, arguably the greatest player in Blackhawks history, died Tuesday after a long illness. He was 78. “There are no words to describe our sadness over Stan’s passing,” the team said in a statement. “He meant so much to the Chicago Blackhawks, to the game of hockey, and to all of Chicago.”

Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith hopped back onto the ice Sunday after losing seven teeth when he was hit in the mouth with a puck. But now hear this: Hall of Famer Stan Mikita not only lost teeth playing hockey, he once returned to action after losing an ear lobe. "I got one (puck) glance off my eyeball and my nose that nailed me pretty good. I couldn't see good for two or three days," the former Blackhawks center (1958-80) recalled Monday. "I got hit three or four times with the puck. If you're skating across the line of fire and...

CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks are one win away from winning another Stanley Cup championship. But one of the team’s ambassadors can’t enjoy it, because he doesn’t know its happening. Hall of Famer Stan Mikita spent his entire 22-year NHL career in Chicago. He’s now 75 and suffers from a brain disorder called Lewy body. The disorder can lead to dementia, hallucinations, and memory loss. Mikita’s wife, Jill, tells the Chicago Tribune, “His mind is completely gone. I don’t like to use that term, but there’s no other way to describe it.” “He doesn’t know he’s missing out. He has...