Former NHLer Fred Sasakamoose battling COVID-19

Multiple reports on social media indicate Fred Sasakamoose, the first Canadian Indigenous-born athlete to play in the National Hockey League has been admitted to hospital due to COVID-19.

A post from the Fred Sasakamoose “Chief Thunderstick” National Hockey Championship Facebook page said the 86-year-old has had symptoms for a couple days, was admitted to hospital and had a positive test confirmed.

“We are asking people, the hockey community and fans to think about Fred at this time. Chief Thunderstick needs your prayers at this moment for a full recovery,” the post read.

Sasakamoose, 86, grew up in the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation during the depression. His first pair of skates were his moccasins with a bob skate blade strapped on underneath, and five pairs of socks to keep his feet from freezing. He made his debut in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawks at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1954. He was granted the Order of Canada in 2017.