Former NHLer Peter McNab has died.

The National Hockey League and the hockey community at large is mourning the passing of former NHL forward Peter McNab after it was announced on Sunday that he had succumb to his long battle with cancer.

McNab would be drafted into the NHL by the Buffalo Sabres who would selected him in the sixth round (85th overall) of the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft, and it would be with the Sabres that he would begin his NHL career. That career would go on to span 954 games, most of which were spent with the Boston Bruins, and over that stretch he would collect 363 goals and 450 assists for 813 career points. He also spent a pair of seasons both with the Vancouver Canucks and the New Jersey Devils during his NHL career.

While long time fans will remember McNab as a player, to more modern fans he will be best remembered for his incredible work as a broadcaster. McNab would initially began his broadcasting career covering the Devils, but would move to Colorado when the Quebec Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche and became a staple of that local broadcast over many years.

One of his most memorable moments came just this year when the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. McNab, who was battling cancer at the time, shared an incredible moment with Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog and the cameras were rolling to catch it all.

Unsurprisingly there have been a number of glowing statements released in honor of McNab's incredible career as both a player and broadcaster, but these words from the Avalanche's own Joe Sakic seemed to say it best.

The Avalanche organization is beyond sad to hear the news of Peter's passing. Peter has been there for every season of the Avalanche's existence and was the voice of the team through so many memorable years, including three Stanley Cup championships. He was a staple in the local hockey community, going back to his years playing at the University of Denver to working nearly 30 years with the Avs. But as good as a hockey man as he was, he will be most remembered for being a friend to so many. On behalf of the Avalanche organization, we send our deepest condolences to the entire McNab family. Peter will be greatly missed.

Our condolences go out to the McNab family, as well as all of Peter's friends, family and everyone who loved hearing him on the broadcast.