Fierce competitor Ted Lindsay remembered as 'a giant' for hockey, beloved ambassador
Red Wings great, Hall of Famer died Monday at age 93
The hockey community is remembering Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay, who died Monday at age 93.
Here is a look at some of the reaction from the hockey world:
"A true trailblazer in seeking to improve conditions for all players, Ted was instrumental in organizing the original Players' Association in 1957. All players, past, current and future, are in his debt. All those who have, and will follow him into the NHL, enjoy improved rights and benefits in large part due to the efforts he made."
— Donald Fehr, NHL Players' Association executive director
"Terrible Ted" was one of the nicest men in hockey. Every player should be thankful for his courage to create the Players' Association, which has grown into partnership between the players and owners of the NHL. He was a true champion on and off the ice and will be deeply missed."
— Wayne Gretzky, all-time NHL leading scorer and Hockey Hall of Famer
"Whenever you had the chance to be around Ted, it was just great, just who he was as as person, someone you really looked up to."<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP7?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIP7</a> <a href="https://t.co/1MsGPVNjbU">pic.twitter.com/1MsGPVNjbU</a>
—@DetroitRedWings"The National Hockey League mourns the passing and celebrates the incomparable life of the legendary Ted Lindsay. One of the game's fiercest competitors during his 17-season NHL career, he was among its most beloved ambassadors throughout the more than five decades of service to hockey that followed his retirement. In Detroit, he was a civic icon."
— Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner
We used to walk by this photo in Olympia room at Joe Louis Arena every day. It served as inspiration and brought many of Ted’s stories to life. If they play pick-up hockey in heaven, I’d like to think everyone is nervously doing up their chinstraps today. You were a giant Ted. <a href="https://t.co/ti0t8FM5u7">pic.twitter.com/ti0t8FM5u7</a>
—@brendanshanahan"So sorry to hear about the passing of Ted Lindsay. He was a giant for our game as player, GM, coach and even bigger for how he stood up for what was right. We are all indebted to him for his contributions to the NHL."
— Marc Crawford, Ottawa Senators interim head coach
"Saddened to hear Ted Lindsay has passed. Had the honour/privilege in the Red Wings locker room ('93-'01) to have my stall beside his. Ted's presence helped teach me about having true respect for the game and accountability to those who played it before us. You were a great man, 'Terrible.'"
— Aaron Ward, former Red Wings defenceman
Had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Lindsay last summer at the Hockey Hall of Fame. His contributions to the game, and to us as players, were beyond measure. <a href="https://t.co/AbFiQlKCKC">pic.twitter.com/AbFiQlKCKC</a>
—@AMacInnis2"That rare combination when great athleticism and vision intersect in the same person. A transformational figure in the evolution of this great game. RIP Ted."
— Stu Grimson, former Red Wings enforcer
"If you played in the NHL and you don't fully understand what this man has done for your quality of life, then spend the rest of the day reading up on him please. Thank you Mr. Lindsay for caring about the players."
— Kelly Chase, former NHL player