Hockey Hall of Famer Andy Bathgate dead at age 83

Hockey Hall of Famer Andy Bathgate, who played for Toronto, Detroit, New York and Pittsburgh over 17 NHL seasons, died Friday. He was 83.

The Rangers confirmed Bathgate's passing in a posting on their website. There was no immediate word on the cause of death.

Bathgate won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player after recording 88 points in 70 games with New York in the 1958-'59 season.

Known for his creative playmaking skills and a wicked slapshot, Bathgate was signed by the Rangers as a 17-year-old free agent in 1949. He spent three years with the Guelph Bitmores of the Ontario Hockey Association and got his first call-up with the Rangers in 1952.

The Winnipeg native had 40 points in his first full season in 1954-'55 and emerged as a star the following year with a 66-point campaign. Bathgate averaged over a point a game with the Rangers over the next nine seasons.

He was named New York's captain in 1961 and wore the 'C' until his trade to the Maple Leafs in February 1964. Bathgate had nine points in 14 playoff games for Toronto that year to help the Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup.

The eight-time all-star played his last NHL season in 1970-'71 with the Penguins.

Bathgate had 973 points (349-624) in 1,069 career regular-season games. He also had 35 points (21-14) in 54 career playoff games.