Boston Bruins “Uke Line” member Vic Stasiuk passed away at 93

Former Boston Bruins winger Vic Staskiuk has passed away at the age of 93. Stasiuk played 14 season in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins. The Lethbridge, Alberta native was part of three Stanley Cup championship teams in his career in 1952, 1954, and 1955, all with the Red Wings.

Stasiuk began his professional hockey career with the Kansas City Pla-Mors in the 1948-49 season. He played two seasons there before beginning his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks. He was a depth player in Chicago, never really making his mark in the Windy City.

During the 1950-51 season, Stasiuk was traded to Detroit in a four-player deal but never really found success in Detroit either. In the 1955 offseason, he was part of a massive nine-player deal that sent him and future hall of fame goalie Terry Sawchuk to Boston Bruins. In Boston, Stasiuk found chemistry alongside Bronco Horvath and Johnny Bucyck. Together the three players of Ukrainian descent formed the “Uke Line”.

Stasiuk played six seasons in Boston, putting up two 60-point seasons and scoring a total of 125 goals and 291 points in 378 games with the Bruins. He also put up four straight 20-goal seasons in Boston, the only team he was able to accomplish that feat with.

In 1961, Stasiuk was dealt back to Detroit after a disappointing start to that season with the Bruins. He scored 31 goals and 83 points in 118 games over three years in his second Red Wings stint. Stasiuk never played in the NHL again following the 1962-63 season but did play in the AHL and CPHL during the next three seasons.

He also had a 15-year coaching career in which he coached the Philadelphia Flyers, California Golden Seals, and Vancouver Canucks during the mid 1970s.