Hall of Famer and pioneer of the sport dies at just 72 years old

Yesterday both the Minnesota Wild and the Detroit Red Wings confirmed the death of 72 year old former NHL and WHA forward Henry Boucha.

Boucha, an absolute legend in his native Minnesota, played parts of six NHL seasons from 1971 until 1977 with the Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota North Stars, Kansas City Scouts and Colorado Rockies. His best season of professional hockey though came in 1974-75 when he put up 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games with the WHA's Minnesota Fighting Saints. He's also one of the most accomplished athletes in Minnesota high school history. A tri-sport athlete, he was a star on the ice, as well as on the gridiron and on the diamond.

Boucha, a full blooded Chippewa Ojibwa, was easy to spot on the ice as he wore his signature headband, back before the NHL mandated that players wear helmets. He was affectionately known as 'Chief' to his teammates throughout the years.

Unfortunately, Boucha's promising career was cut short after an eye injury forced him to retire at just 24 years old. He was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and spent decades of his life helping advance various Native American causes.