One of the most iconic figures in Bruins franchise history has passed away.
Milt Schmidt, who won four Stanley Cups as a B’s player and GM, has died at the age of 98, per the Boston Globe. The Globe reports Schmidt had suffered a stroke recently, and was living in a care facility.
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961, Schmidt helped the Bruins win titles as a player in 1939 and ’41, then two more as GM in ’70 and ’72. He also served as head coach immediately following his playing days, leading Boston to back-to-back Cup Finals in ’57 and ’58.
A member of the “Kraut Line” alongside fellow Hall of Famers Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer, Schmidt was highly revered throughout the Boston hockey community and the NHL.
Upon news of his passing, an outpouring of condolences flooded social media.
Milt Schmidt made everyone he ever touched feel his special joy of life. He left us all better than he found us. Every time.
— Jack Edwards (@RealJackEdwards) January 4, 2017
Three days after being named as one of the top 100 players in NHL history, Hall of Famer Milt Schmidt dies at 98. Wonderful man.
— Ken Campbell (@Ken_Campbell27) January 4, 2017
RIP Milt Schmidt. Helluva run. He was 98. Top shelf player, coach & exec. More important, dripped with CLASS. Mr. Bruin, for sure.
— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) January 4, 2017
Fittingly, Schmidt -- along with Bobby Orr -- dropped the ceremonial puck this past October at the Bruins’ first home game of the season.