Hockey world pays tribute to Indigenous NHL trailblazer Fred Sasakamoose

Fred Sasakamoose, one of the first Indigenous athletes to play in the NHL, passed away at the age of 86 after being hospitalized for a presumed case of COVID-19.

The hockey world lost a trailblazer on Tuesday, as Fred Sasakamoose, one of the first Indigenous athletes to play in the NHL, died at the age of 86.

Sasakamoose had been hospitalized over the weekend while battling a presumed case of COVID-19. His son, Neil, announced Sasakamoose's death in a video on Facebook.

With news Sasakamoose's passing, people across the hockey world took the time to pay tribute to the former Chicago Blackhawks player, who paved the way for many in the sport.

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