Pierre Pilote

Joseph Albert Pierre Paul Pilote (December 11, 1931 – September 9, 2017) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and perennial All-Star, most notably for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League (NHL), for which he served as team captain for seven seasons. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy three times for best defenceman in the NHL.

Early life Born in Kenogami, Quebec, Pilote's family moved to Fort Erie, Ontario, when he was 14 years old. Because the local rink collapsed in a storm, Pilote did not play his first organized hockey game until he was 17.

NHL defenceman Pilote became a preeminent star for the Black Hawks, winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most outstanding defenceman three straight seasons in 1963, 1964 and 1965 — a feat matched or surpassed only by Doug Harvey, Bobby Orr and Nicklas Lidström in NHL history — as well as runner-up in 1962, 1966 and 1967. He was on the First or second All-Star team every year from 1960 to 1967. Pilote had an iron man streak of playing 376 consecutive games over more than five seasons.

On July 18, 2008, the Blackhawks announced that the #3 jersey worn by Pilote and Keith Magnuson would be retired in a joint ceremony, the sixth number so honoured by the club. The ceremony was held on November 12, 2008, before the Blackhawks' game against the Boston Bruins at the United Center. In January 2012, Pilote was honoured with a bronze statue in front of the Jonquière Sports Palace. In the fall of 2013, ECW Press published his biography Heart of the Blackhawks: The Pierre Pilote Story, co-written with L. "Waxy" Gregoire and David M. Dupuis. Pilote died of cancer on September 9, 2017.

Career statistics

Awards and honours Award Year NHL NHL All-Star Game 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968 NHL Second All-Star Team 1960, 1961, 1962 Stanley Cup Champion 1961 James Norris Memorial Trophy 1963, 1964, 1965 NHL First All-Star Team 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967