Fred Sasakamoose. (File photo/paNOW)

By Teena Monteleone

Former NHLer Fred Sasakamoose battling COVID-19

Nov 20, 2020 | 8:27 PM

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.

“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 Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1954. He was granted the Order of Canada in 2017.

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**Editors note: This story was amended on Saturday, Nov. 21 to reflect new information posted on social media by Sasakamoose’s son Neil who revealed he was first told that Fred tested positive for COVID-19, but was later notified that he was being treated as a “presumed” positive COVID-19 case and is currently in a local hospital’s isolation unit. Neil also said that Fred’s caretaker had tested positive for the virus.

-With files from Canadian Press

panews@jpbg.ca

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