Former NHL all-star, Summit Series defenceman Bill White dies at 77

Bill White, a former Chicago Blackhawks all-star defenceman and a member of Canada’s 1972 Summit Series team, has died. He was 77.

The Blackhawks confirmed White’s death in a statement released Monday.

White, a Toronto native, started his career with the Los Angeles Kings in 1967 before being traded to Chicago during the 1969-70 season. He formed an imposing tandem on the Blackhawks’ blue line with Pat Stapleton and helped the team reach the playoffs in all seven of his seasons in Chicago.

He appeared in six consecutive all-star games between 1969 and 1974 and briefly served as head coach of the Blackhawks for the final 46 games of the 1976-77 season.

White finished his career with 50 goals, 215 assists and 495 penalty minutes in 604 NHL games with Los Angeles and Chicago, adding seven goals and 32 assists in 91 playoff appearances.

“The Chicago Blackhawks organization extends its thoughts and heartfelt condolences to Bill White’s family as we mourn his loss,” the team said. “He will be remembered as a leader, generous teammate and tough player to play against. His energetic style helped the Blackhawks see great success during his tenure with the team.”

He joined Canada’s squad for the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union after Game 1, finishing with a series-best plus-7 defensive rating while acting as a key part of Canada’s formidable penalty-killing unit.