The community of Strathroy mourns after hearing news of community ambassador and hockey legend Pat Stapleton who passed away Wednesday evening. Pat or as many called him “Whitey” played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association. Stapleton was a member of the 1972 Summit Series Team Canada squad and is believed that Stapleton is the owner of the puck used by Paul Henderson to score the series-winning goal. Stapleton was the head coach of the Junior B Rockets in the mid-90s and helped bring back the tradition and legacy of that franchise. He also has a Strathroy Minor Hockey award named after him. He also represented Canada again at the 1974 Summit Series, serving as team captain. Born in July of 1940, Stapleton started his NHL career with the Boston Bruins in 1961–62. Initially signed by Chicago, Stapleton was claimed by Boston in the 1961 intraleague draft. He eventually ended up in Chicago, where his career really began playing eight seasons with the Blackhawks including Stanley Cup final appearances in 1971 and 1973. Pat retired in 1978 returning to former stomping grounds of Indianapolis as head coach, leading a team that included future NHL legends Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. Stapleton played 635 NHL games with Boston and Chicago, tallying 43 goals and 294 assists with 353 penalty minutes. He was also inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 as a member of the 1972 Summit Series team, and was elected as an inaugural inductee into the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame in 2010. In a community where he was loved by all, he will be very much missed. Pat Stapleton was 79-years-old.