Canadiens legend Moore dies at 84

Dickie Moore, who won the Stanley Cup six times as a member of the Montreal Canadiens, died Saturday at the age of 84.

One of the great playmakers of the 1950s, Moore was a pivotal figure on a Canadiens dynasty that won the Cup five consecutive times from 1956 to 1960. Moore also won the Art Ross Trophy twice during that era.

He had one of the greatest statistical seasons of his time in 1958-59 when he established a League record with 96 points in 70 games. That mark stood for seven seasons, until Bobby Hull had 97 points in 1965-66.

Moore also led the League in 1957-58 with 84 points despite playing the final three months of the season with a cast on his wrist.

After winning the Memorial Cup in consecutive seasons with the Montreal Jr. Royals (1948-49) and Montreal Jr. Canadiens (1949-50), Moore debuted for the Canadiens during the 1951-52 season with 33 points in 34 games.

In 12 seasons with the Canadiens, Moore had 254 goals and 594 points in 690 games. He's third among Canadiens left wings in goals and points.

"Dickie Moore was a player of great skill and even-greater heart, someone admired on the ice for his will to win and adored in the community for his commitment to good deeds," Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "A six-time Stanley Cup winner and two-time scoring champion, Dickie Moore refused to let injuries stop him from reaching remarkable heights of success. As we mourn his passing, the National Hockey League family sends our deepest condolences to his family and his many friends inside and outside of the game.”

An accumulation of injuries forced Moore to retire following the 1962-63 season, but he returned to play 38 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1964-65 and 27 games with the St. Louis Blues in 1967-68. In his last season in the League, Moore and another former Canadiens great, Doug Harvey, led the Blues to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to Montreal.

In 14 NHL seasons, Moore had 261 goals and 608 points in 719 games. He also had 110 points in 135 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Moore was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1974. In 1998, The Hockey News ranked him among the top 50 greatest hockey players.

Born Jan. 6, 1931 in the Montreal borough of Park Extension, Moore remained in the area after retiring, running a number of businesses and remaining a strong presence in the community. In 2005, the Canadiens retired No. 12 for Moore as well as fellow Hall of Fame member Yvan Cournoyer.

Moore remained in good health as he entered his later years until August 2006, when he was injured in a car accident. Moore sustained spinal and neck injuries as well as broken ribs and massive bleeding when his car was sideswiped by a truck near Montreal.

He is survived by his daughter Lianne, his son John and their respective spouses, and several grandchildren.