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Hall of Fame defenseman Bill Gadsby dies at age 88

Sabres Red Wings Hockey

Detroit Red Wings fans pass a winged wheel flag around Joe Louis Arena before a NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Detroit, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

AP

DETROIT (AP) Bill Gadsby, a Hall of Fame defenseman who played 20 seasons in the NHL for Chicago, Detroit and the New York Rangers, has died. He was 88.

Lynn Anderson, director of communications for Beaumont Hospital of Farmington Hills, confirmed that Gadsby died Thursday.

Gadsby played 1,248 games from 1946-66 for the Blackhawks, Rangers and Red Wings, reaching the Stanley Cup finals with Detroit in 1963, 1964 and 1966. He later coached the Red Wings for just over a season, going 35-31-12.

Gadsby had 130 goals, 438 assists and 1,539 penalty minutes. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1970.

In 1958-59 with the Rangers, Gadsby set what was then a record for assists by a defenseman with 46.