Eric Nesterenko, a former two-time NHL All-Star and Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks, has died at the age of 88. The team confirmed the news on their social media accounts on Monday.
Nesterenko, a Manitoba native, spent 16 of his 21 NHL seasons in Chicago, where he compiled 495 points (207 goals, 288 assists) and 1,014 penalty minutes in 1,013 games from 1956-1972. He also added 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists) in 115 postseason contests, and played a key role in the 1961 Stanley Cup run.
Nesterenko is one of only two players in franchise history with at least 1,000 games played and 1,000 penalty minutes. The other is Stan Mikita, who appeared in 1,396 games and logged 1,264 penalty minutes.
Nesterenko was known to be a terrific defensive forward and penalty killer, where he led the league in shorthanded goals twice with six in 1965 and three in 1967, respectively.
Nesterenko played his first five seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to the Blackhawks for cash. He compiled 574 points (250 goals, 324 assists) in 1,219 career NHL games.
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