Former Canadian player Kyle Calder, who was a part of five different NHL teams, sadly passed away at the age of 47 on Monday, June 15. Tributes for the great man came pouring in from all over the hockey world, including the NHL Alumni Association and the teams he competed for in the league.

During his 10 seasons from 1999 to 2009 in the NHL, the Mannville, Alberta, native registered 294 points (114G / 180A) in 590 games as a forward. He earned the right to test himself in 18 Stanley Cup Playoff games, in which he scored three points (2G / 1A).

Our NHL Alumni family is deeply saddened by the passing of Kyle Calder,” wrote the NHL Alumni Association in their tribute for him, posted on X. “Today, we mourn not only a respected former NHL player but a cherished teammate, friend, and member of our hockey brotherhood.”

Calder’s NHL career began with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1999-2000 season after they selected him No. 130 overall in the 1997 NHL Draft. In his six seasons with the Blackhawks, he accumulated 210 points (85G / 125A) in 359 games.

He also competed in five Stanley Cup Playoff games for Chicago in 2002, scoring two goals in them.

“The Chicago Blackhawks mourn the loss of Kyle Calder and extend our deepest condolences to Kyle's family during this extremely difficult and tragic time,” Danny Wirtz, the owner of the Blackhawks, said for him, per the report published in the NHL.  

After playing in Chicago, Calder’s stay at the Philadelphia Flyers didn’t even last the entire 2006-07 season. With 59 games and 21 points (9G / 12A) under his belt at the Flyers, he left for the Detroit Red Wings on the trade deadline day.

He played just 19 games in the 2006-07 regular season for the Red Wings, scoring 14 points (5G / 9A). But despite that, he competed in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games for them, but it resulted in only one assist for him.

“The Detroit Red Wings organization sends our condolences to Kyle’s family, friends and former teammates,” they wrote a tribute on their official X account for Calder.

While playing for the Los Angeles Kings from 2007 to 2009, Calder had 47 points (15G / 32A). In his 10th and final NHL season in 2009, he got two assists in his 14 games for the Anaheim Ducks.

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Kyle, a great man and valued teammate,” wrote the Ducks on their official X account for Calder. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Kyle’s family, loved ones and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Apart from these teams, the hockey fans weren’t far behind paying their tribute to Calder for being a part of their lives over the years.

Fans react to Kyle Calder’s sudden passing on social media

Fans were in a somber mood about Kyle Calder’s sudden passing in the comments section of the NHL Alumni Association’s post on X.

“Condolences to his family ,friends, and Alumni. May he RIP,” a fan said, while another one called him, “Great player, teammate and man .”

A couple of supporters talked about their memories related to Calder and how he impacted their lives positively from a young age.

“I wore #19 because of him and also named my hermit crab Calder when I was little! Wonder if he’s up there laughing now knowing he had a crustacean named after him… Blessings to the fam, friends, and the alumni association,” a supporter wrote.

“Ah no way. Loved watching this guy as a kid. The one and only 'Chairman of the Boards,'” another one remarked.

The most poignant of tributes for Calder came from his daughter, Madison, on Instagram.

“There will never ever be enough words in the world to describe how incredibly lucky I was to have you as my dad,” she wrote for her father. “I love you more than anything in the world to the moon and back infinitely. Save me a spot on the ice, Dad.”

Read more at NHL Fan Central!

Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi