Ralph Backstrom, a former center who won six Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens, died Sunday at the age of 83.
Backstrom also founded the Colorado Eagles, who currently serve as the Colorado Avalanche's AHL affiliate. The Eagles released a statement on Backstrom's death.
"Ralph Backstrom was the most honorable gentleman I've ever encountered in my professional life and he was single-handedly responsible for professional hockey in Northern Colorado," Eagles owner and CEO Martin Lind wrote. "We all are forever indebted to this legacy of a gentleman and we pray his family has peace and comfort in this difficult time.