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Mikita, who played for the Blackhawks for 22 seasons, becoming one of the franchise's most revered figures, has died, the Blackhawks announced Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. He was 78. 

The family said in a statement a press release from the Black Hawk: "with great sadness, Mikita's family announced that Stan had passed away on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at the age of 78 years." "He was surrounded by his beloved family, whom he loved so much. The planned service details will be issued when they become available. We respectfully request privacy at this time. "

"Stan Mikita will be always remembered as a champion, an innovator and a master of the game. He embodied the Chicago Blackhawks." #ForeverABlackhawk pic.twitter.com/K2fLgNHf4z

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) ٧ أغسطس ٢٠١٨

A Hall of Fame career that spanned from 1958-80 saw Mikita pile up 541 goals, 926 assists and 1,394 points -- numbers that all rank in the top 31 in NHL history. He played every one of his games with the Blackhawks and won his only Stanley Cup in 1961.

The numbers only tell a small part of his story, though.

What he did for the sport is legendary and will never be duplicated. His dedication to family and friends was amazing, and his dedication to Blackhawks fans everywhere should be an inspiration for any player donning the Indian Head sweater today, tomorrow and decades to come.

"There are no words to describe our sadness over Stan's passing," said Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz in a statement. "He meant so much to the Chicago Blackhawks, to the game of hockey, and to all of Chicago.

"He left an imprint that will forever be etched in the hearts of fans -- past, present and future. Stan made everyone he touched a better person. My wife Marilyn and I, joined by the entire Wirtz family, extend our prayers and thoughts to Jill and the Mikita family.

" 'Stosh' will be deeply missed, but never, ever forgotten."

RIP #Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita

He is 1 of 8 players in NHL history to play 1,300 games exclusively with a single franchise for an entire career pic.twitter.com/USYQSU3bEA

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) ٧ أغسطس ٢٠١٨

Early life

Born Stanislav Gvoth on May 20, 1940, Mikita was adopted by his aunt and uncle in 1948 and moved to St. Catharines, Ontario.

The unlikely move came about when his Aunt Anna and Uncle Joe -- who were unable to have children -- visited Stan and his parents in Sokolce, Czechoslovakia. During their visit, Anna and Joe tried to convince Stan's parents that their son could thrive in Canada and be better off with them.

"I was in bed in the other room, and I was hungry, so I asked for a piece of bread and jam," Mikita told Charles Wilkins for a book released in 2000 called "When the Final Buzzer Sounds."

"My mother wouldn't give it to me, and I started to cry. They thought I was crying because I'd overheard her saying that she wouldn't let me go to Canada. So she told my uncle, 'OK, Joe, he can go.'

"That was that. As far as I knew I was just going for a visit."

But that wasn't the case, and Mikita struggled mightily at first. He was made fun of for the way he spoke and was ostracized until he got involved in sports. Mikita didn't see his parents again until he completed his first season with the Blackhawks.

"They asked if I was angry at them for giving me up," Mikita said in the book. "I let them know right there that I couldn't thank them enough for having allowed me to go."