Former Chicago Blackhawks center Bobby Sheehan, who spent a full season with the club in the mid-1970s after earlier helping beat them for a Stanley Cup, died Saturday at his home in Weymouth, Massachusetts. He was 77.
The Montreal Canadiens announced the death, noting that Sheehan passed away on Nov. 7. No cause was released.
Sheehan skated in 78 games for the Blackhawks during the 1975-76 season, collecting 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points. He also appeared in all four of Chicago’s first-round playoff games that spring.
Over eight NHL seasons, the left-shooting center played 310 regular-season games and recorded 48 goals and 111 points. He added four goals and seven points in 25 playoff appearances.
His lone championship arrived in 1971 with the Canadiens, who defeated the Blackhawks in a seven-game Final. Sheehan had been Montreal’s third-round selection in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft.
Before turning pro, he played junior hockey for the St. Catharines Black Hawks after leaving home in Massachusetts to skate in Canada. He later suited up for the California Golden Seals, where he posted career NHL highs of 20 goals and 46 points in 1971-72.
Sheehan then spent four seasons in the World Hockey Association with the New York Raiders, New York Golden Blades/Jersey Knights, Edmonton Oilers and Indianapolis Racers. He was named a WHA All-Star in both 1973 and 1974.
After his year in Chicago, he moved on to the Detroit Red Wings, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Kings. Standing about 5-foot-7, he was known for his skating speed at a time when few American-born players reached the NHL.
Sheehan also represented the United States at the 1981 World Championship tournament. He finished his playing days in the AHL with the Binghamton Whalers in 1982-83.
Back in his hometown of Weymouth after retirement, he worked as a youth hockey instructor. He is survived by five children and two siblings. His cousin, Charlie Coyle, is in his 15th NHL season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In addition to the Blackhawks and Canadiens, Sheehan’s NHL stops included the Golden Seals, Red Wings, Rockies and Kings. Across the NHL and WHA combined, his professional career stretched more than a decade.
The 1975-76 Blackhawks roster that included Sheehan finished 32-30-18 under coach Billy Reay. He contributed secondary scoring while sharing the ice with veterans such as Stan Mikita and Pit Martin.
Sheehan’s junior connection to the Blackhawks organization and his single NHL season in Chicago Stadium remain part of the club’s history. The broader hockey community has noted his role as one of a small group of American players from that era.
Funeral arrangements were set for later in the week in the Weymouth area, according to family notices.
