'Smiling to the end': Sault hockey star who won four Stanley Cups dies at 96

The hockey world is mourning the loss of a Sault-born NHL star who won four Stanley Cup championships alongside legendary teammates Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay. 

Marty Pavelich, who was born in Sault Ste. Marie on Nov. 6, 1927, played 10 seasons as a left-winger for the Detroit Red Wings between 1947 and 1957, tallying 93 goals and 159 assists.

He passed away on June 27 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 96.

Until his death, Pavelich was the second-oldest living NHL player. The oldest just so happens to be another Saultite: 101-year-old Steve Wochy.

The Detroit Red Wings are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Martin Nicholas (Marty) Pavelich, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 96 after a brief battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. pic.twitter.com/PyeSzvSwpP

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 28, 2024

“On behalf of the entire Red Wings organization I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the Pavelich family,” said Chris Ilitch, the team’s Governor and CEO, in a written statement. “Marty was beloved by all those who knew him, including my parents, Mike and Marian Ilitch. He was an integral part of four Stanley Cup championship teams for the Red Wings in the 1950’s and one of the hardest working players of his generation. He will be greatly missed.”

A fierce competitor, Pavelich often said that although he may not have been the most talented player on the ice, nobody worked harder. He was often assigned to defend the opposing team’s best player, including Maurice “Rocket” Richard of the Montreal Canadiens.

After his playing days ended, Pavelich started a plastic injection molding company in Livonia, Michigan with Lindsay, his best friend, supplying the automotive industry. “Marty often said he loved the business world more than his career in hockey,” reads an obituary submitted to SooToday by his family.

Pavelich was selected as an inaugural member of the Sault Ste Marie Hockey Hall of Fame in 1964.

In 1991, Pavelich and his wife Marjorie moved to Big Sky, Montana, where he fly-fished and skied up until his mid-90s. He was instrumental in building the Big Sky Chapel, which opened in 1999, and the Big Sky Meadow rink, which was named in his honour two years ago.

“After several years in Big Sky, he was quoted as saying: ‘I should never have played hockey, but moved to Montana when I was a young man to be a cowboy,’” the obituary reads.

The above photograph was taken on June 8, just 19 days before Pavelich died. “Smiling and positive to the end,” his family said.

A memorial service is being planned at the Big Sky Chapel for sometime in late October or early November.

Below is the full obituary provided by the family:

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marty Pavelich. He passed peacefully with his son at his side the evening of June 27, 2024 in Flower Mound, TX after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Marty was 96 years old.

He was the devoted and loving father of Lynn Maxwell (Rob), Lee Hofley and Andrew Hofley (Nicole). He was also the proud grandfather of Lauren Whelan (Travis), Samantha and Blake Hofley. Marty was predeceased by his first wife Anna Jean “Jake” Eberlein, his second wife Marjorie (mother of Lynn, Lee and Andrew), his parents Matthew and Zora “Rose” (Stilin) Pavelich, and his stepfather Martin Krmpotich. He was also predeceased by his sisters Dorothy Trudell (Larry) (David Thorp) and Marge Lucas (Andy) and his brother Robert “Bob” Krmpotich (Mary Anne). He is survived by his brothers Matt Pavelich (Dragica) and Ron Krmpotich (Vi). 

Marty was born Martin Nicholas Pavelich on November 6, 1927 in Sault Ste. Marie. Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings when he was 15, he played his junior hockey in Galt and joined the Red wings in 1947 where he won four Stanley Cups with the Red Wings before retiring in 1957. In 1964 he was selected as an inaugural member of the Sault Ste Marie Hockey Hall of Fame.

After hockey, he started a plastic injection molding company in Livonia, Michigan with his best friend and Hockey Hall of Fame player, Ted Lindsay, supplying the automotive industry. Marty often said he loved the business world more than his career in hockey.

In 1991, Marty and Marjorie moved to Big Sky, Montana where the fly fishing and skiing were excellent. It was love at first sight for Marty and Big Sky and he vowed to never leave.  He was instrumental in building the Big Sky Chapel which opened in 1999 and the Big Sky Meadow ice rink which was named in Marty’s honor in 2022.  Marty was an avid skier and golfer his entire life; he was a mainstay at Lone Mountain as a Mountain Host and at the Big Sky Big Brother/Big Sister charity golf event. His last ski run on Lone Mountain (pictured below) was in February 2023 at the tender age of 95. Poetry on skis until the end.  

After several years in Big Sky, he was quoted as saying: “I should never have played hockey, but moved to Montana when I was a young man to be a cowboy.”  That was his love for Big Sky and the surrounding community.  He will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service is planned in the Big Sky Chapel in late October / early November.