Dr. Fred Sasakamoose and a nurse in the hospital. (Facebook/Fred Sasakamoose "Chief Thunderstick" National Hockey Championship)

By paNOW Staff

Sending positive thoughts

Well-wishes pour in for Fred Sasakamoose as he battles COVID-19

Nov 23, 2020 | 4:00 PM

Players and officials are sending their wishes to Fred Sasakamoose, who was recently admitted to hospital due to a recent presumptive COVID-19 diagnosis.

Sasakamoose, 86, was the first Canadian Indigenous-born athlete to play in the National Hockey League.

A Facebook page dedicated to the player recently posted a photo of the hockey star in hospital, noting he said he plans to “kick COVID-19’s ass”

A voicemail from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was posted this morning:

Grey Cup!!!

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Current Chicago Blackhawk Connor Murphy shared his thoughts in a Facebook video dedicated to the former player. The team also shared a statement:

“We are keeping Fred and your whole family in our thoughts and prayers. Our entire Blackhawks family is pulling for him, and we will be asking our fans to do the same,” it said.

Former NHLers Cody McCormick, Jason Simon and Blair Atcheynum, and Dan Frawley also shared their thoughts:

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panews@jpbg.ca