Jets legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk dies at age 57

The hockey world is in mourning today.

Dale Hawerchuk, a Hockey Hall of Famer who put up more than 1,400 during a 17-year NHL career, has died at the age of 57 after a year-long battle with stomach cancer.

“After an incredibly brave and difficult battle with cancer, our dad has passed away,” his son Eric wrote on Twitter. “My family is so proud of him and the way he fought.”

After an incredibly brave and difficult battle with cancer, our dad has passed away. My family is so proud of him and the way he fought. #HawerchukStrong pic.twitter.com/xZ1xcaqAOv

— Eric Hawerchuk (@EricHawerchuk) August 18, 2020

Another legendary Jet and Hall of Famer, Teemu Selanne, took to Twitter to share his condolences as well.

“What an incredible human being. I’m thankful that Ducky was my friend and I had a chance to talk with him yesterday and say goodbye,” Selanne wrote.

“This world is not (the) same place without him. Erick, you can be so proud of your dad. Thoughts, love and prayers for all your family.”

Hawerchuk was a highly-touted youngster and after an illustrious junior hockey career, he was drafted first overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 1981.

It didn’t take him long to make an impact on the NHL, as he put up 45 goals and 103 points for the Jets during his rookie season en route to a Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s best rookie.

The Toronto native went on to play nine seasons with the Jets, cementing his legacy as one of the franchise’s greatest players of all time.

He finished his career with five seasons in Buffalo and short stints with St. Louis and Philadelphia before retiring in 1997.

Hawerchuk became the coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts in 2010, a role he held until he left the team for health reasons last year.

In October 2019, it was revealed that he was battling stomach cancer, which claimed his life today.