Andy Bathgate, Former NHL Star, Dies at Age 83

Hockey Hall of Famer Andy Bathgate died Friday at the age of 83. 

Bathgate's death was confirmed by the New York Rangers, for whom he played 12 of his 17 NHL seasons. Rangers president Glen Sather released a statement on Friday:

NHL PR provided comments from commissioner Gary Bettman:

The winner of the 1958-59 Hart Memorial Trophy, Bathgate was a prolific scorer in his playing days. He led the NHL in assists twice (1961-62, 1963-64) and points once (1961-62). In his MVP season with the Rangers, the star right winger racked up 88 points in 70 games.

There was a seven-year period in which Bathgate was among the NHL's best goal scorers, per Bob Waterman of the Elias Sports Bureau:

Bathgate added another notch to his belt in the Pittsburgh Penguins' first game in franchise history Oct. 11, 1967, per Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Following Bathgate's final NHL game in 1971, he had recorded 624 assists, 349 goals and 973 points. He won the Stanley Cup in 1963-64 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who acquired him in a trade with the Rangers earlier in the season.

Even though Bathgate spent his prime years playing for a Rangers team that made only four playoff appearances, he left an indelible mark on the franchise. His talents transcended the sport, leading to his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1978.