NHL veteran Bobby Sheehan, whose legendary playoff run helped the New York Rangers advance to the 1979 Stanley Cup, has died. He was 77.
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Sheehan played 310 NHL games for the Montreal Canadiens, California Golden Seals, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Kings. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
New York Rangers Remember Veteran Forward Bobby Sheehan
"We join the hockey community in mourning the loss of Bobby Sheehan, who played an integral role in helping the Rangers advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 1979," the Rangers said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with Bobby's family, friends, and former teammates during this difficult time."
Sheehan spent the 1978-79 regular season with the Rangers' AHL affiliate New Haven and scored 33 goals. After he was called up for the Rangers' playoff run, the team won four consecutive games.
Sheehan scored goals in Games 1, 2 and 3 of the 1979 Eastern Conference Championship, helping the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup, where they ultimately lost to the Canadiens.
"[Sheehan] was just that shot in the arm. That energy, that speed he brought," Don Maloney, a former Rangers forward, told The Athletic in 2018. "All of a sudden, you throw him in the lineup and it just kind of opened up time and space for all of us. It was a great move. A great addition at that time. That speed was second to none back then. He had a really good run."
Montreal Canadiens Mourn Stanley Cup Champ Bobby Sheehan
Sheehan began his career with Montreal and helped the Canadiens win the 1971 Stanley Cup.
"The Montreal Canadiens are saddened to learn that former forward Bobby (Robert Richard) Sheehan passed away Saturday at his home in Weymouth, Massachusetts, at the age of 77," the team wrote in a press release.
"Sheehan played eight seasons in the NHL, beginning his professional career in 1969. The center played 45 games with the Canadiens, recording eight goals and six assists. He helped the Habs win the Stanley Cup in 1971."
Sheehan had his best seasons with the Oakland-based Golden Seals, recording NHL-career highs of 20 goals and 46 points.
After retiring from the NHL, Sheehan returned to his hometown of Weymouth, Mass., and taught youth hockey.
He is survived by his five children and two siblings.
