Blackhawks great Stan Mikita dies at 78
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."
Mikita lived life the way he played the game of hockey.
He did it his way and he never stopped caring about what he did.
"He was more prepared than anybody I ever played with," said Dale Tallon, executive vice-president and general manager of the Florida Panthers, remembering the years they spent together skating for the Blackhawks.
"His preparation was impeccable. His style of play was unique. He had great skills and drive and passion. He was hard-working. He was unselfish.
"He was a superstar."
The little man who came from the little town of Sokolice in what then was Czechoslovakia and went on to become one of the biggest superstars of the National Hockey League and the Chicago sports galaxy died surrounded by his family.
In January, 2015 a statement released by Mikita's family said he had
