Rick MacLeish obit

Rick MacLeish, Former NHL Star, Dies at Age 66

He was not on the list.


Longtime Philadelphia Flyers forward Rick MacLeish died Monday night after suffering multiple medical problems in recent months. He was 66.

Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer confirmed the news Tuesday through Flyers Alumni Association President Brad Marsh. Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly noted the former center had been hospitalized in Philadelphia before his death.

Flyers President Paul Holmgren released a statement to the Philadelphia Inquirer about the news:

With the passing of [MacLeish], the Flyers have lost one of their legends. A good father, grandfather, teammate and friend, Rick will be missed by all who were fortunate to come and know him over the years. His happy and friendly demeanor was front and center everywhere Rick went. Today, our thoughts and prayers are with Rick's wife, Charlene, his daughters, Danielle and Brianna along with his grandchildren. May he rest in peace.

Fellow Philadelphia hockey star Rick Tocchet provided his condolences on social media:

Rick Tocchet @RealRocket22

R.I.P Rick MacLeish you were one of the true Flyer greats - God Bless 🙏

MacLeish was drafted with the fourth overall selection in the 1970 draft by the Boston Bruins. He was traded to Philadelphia before making his debut during the 1970-71 campaign and proceeded to spend the first 11 years of his pro career with the Flyers.

His breakout season came in 1972-73 when he tallied 50 goals and 50 assists. Both totals ended up being career highs. It marked the start of an extended run of success for the Flyers, which proceeded to win the Stanley Cup in each of the next two seasons.

Perhaps the crowning moment of his career game during Game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Final. The Ontario, Canada, native scored the only goal of the team's championship-clinching victory over the Bruins, the team that had drafted him just four years earlier.

MacLeish also spent time with the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings over a 14-year NHL career that included three All-Star Game appearances. He registered 349 goals, 410 assists and a plus-152 rating across 846 games. He added 54 goals and 53 assists in 114 playoff contests.

He suffered a heart attack during a Flyers Alumni game in the early 2000s and underwent open heart surgery in the aftermath of the scare. He told the team's official site in 2005 that he changed his lifestyle afterward, completely eliminating smoking and starting to exercise more.

Carchidi noted earlier in May that MacLeish's daughter, Brianna MacLeish, confirmed he had been hospitalized for six weeks due to various medical issues.