A former member of the Saskatoon Blades, Bruce Gordon, passed away on Friday leaving many to mourn his loss in the city.
Gordon had been battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
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A week ago, the Blades captain from the 1980s was honoured at the team’s Western Hockey League home opener.
“It was absolutely amazing that he came out last Friday and essentially went to the wall with his body for three hours. For the fans, for the people of the city and his teammates,” Saskatoon Blades president Steven Hogle said.
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Money raised at the game for “Cops for Cancer” campaign will go towards potentially life-saving research, all in his name.
“You know, you’re saddened immediately even though you know it’s coming. He was just such an inspiration and he did so much for so many others. It was sad to hear so that was the first reaction, and then you think about all that he did for us and the community, and you can’t help but be amazed by the legacy he leaves,” Hogle said.
“He epitomized everything that we ask of our players to do, and that’s not only to bring it on the ice but to bring it in the community as well.”
The Blades held a moment of silence at Friday’s game against the Medicine Hat Tigers to pay tribute to Gordon and all that he did.
Gordon is also well-known for his service with the Saskatoon police. He also went back to university to earn a law degree.