Fred Sasakamoose, 86, dies of complications from COVID-19

One of the NHL’s first Indigenous players, the legendary Fred Sasakamoose has passed away.

The 86-year-old died in hospital the afternoon of Nov. 24 after battling COVID-19.

In an emotional video posted on Facebook, Sasakamoose’s son Neil shared the news of his father’s passing.

“The COVID virus just did so much damage going into his lungs. He just couldn’t keep responding. He couldn’t keep up,” he said.

Neil added he spoke with his father about two hours before his passing saying his father was “feeling great” and was “talkative.”

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“When I talked to him I asked him how he was feeling, if he was feeling scared. He said ‘I’m not scared. I’m ready to go if I gotta go,’” he said.

Neil noted Fred was grateful to receive all the well wishes many had sent him, from visitors at the hospital to current and alumni NHL players who sent him supportive videos.

“This is what happens with COVID-19. The reality is my mother’s in isolation, she’s in a lockdown. My sisters are in a lockdown. This is what happens in COVID,” Neil said. “We’re two months away from a vaccine. Everyone just bear down. Listen to your chiefs… mayors. Listen to your premiers. Listen to the prime minister. Listen to the other party. Just listen and comply for a while.”

In September Sasakamoose was a surprise guest at the Orange Shirt Day walk at the Prince Albert Grand Council. Nobody knew he would be there.

Fred Sasakamoose made a special appearance at the PAGC Orange Shirt Day walk in September (Dawson Thompson/paNOW Staff)

He told paNOW he felt as good as he did when he went to the Chicago Blackhawks, (in 1953), as he did being there on the walk with everyone to raise awareness for residential schools. He completed the walk.

“I went to a residential school for 10 years,” Sasakamoose said. “When I went to the Blackhawks I felt like a champion, and I feel like a champion walking with everybody here today.”

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panews@jpbg.ca