Report: Jets legend Hawerchuk recovering in hospital after successful gastrectomy for stomach cancer

Ailish Forfar
·NHL Editor
Updated
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 13: Eric Lindros #88 and Dale Hawerchuk #10 leave the ice following the 2016 Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic game at the Air Canada Centre on November 13, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 13: Eric Lindros #88 and Dale Hawerchuk #10 leave the ice following the 2016 Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic game at the Air Canada Centre on November 13, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

After sharing his stomach cancer diagnosis in October, Dale Hawerchuk is continuing his fight after undergoing a successful gastrectomy this week. His son, Eric, shared a message for the hockey community that thanked everyone for their support throughout the Hall of Famer’s battle.

In an interview with TSN’s Rick Westhead in October, the long-time NHL forward called this battle with cancer the “the fight of my life.”

“For some reason the Lord put me in this kind of fight and I’m ready to fight it. I want to live to tell the story,” the Hockey Hall of Famer said.

The 56-year-old was known mainly for his playing time with the Winnipeg Jets, but made appearances with the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, and Philadelphia Flyers during his 16 years in the NHL. After 1188 games played, Hawerchuk scored 518 goals, 1409 points and was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.

On January 4th, the Buffalo Sabres, celebrating their 50th season, honoured their past by hosting a 90’s Night. Former teammates paid tribute to Hawerchuk who was unable to attend by bringing his jersey for the event.

Hawerchuk was serving as head coach of the OHL’s Barrie Colts before he took a leave of absence at the start of the 2019-20 season.

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