Former NHL defenseman Brad Maxwell died on Sunday at the age of 66 after a battle with lung cancer that spread in his body.
Maxwell played 10 seasons in the NHL in the 1970s and 80s, playing nine seasons with the Minnesota North Stars with stints with the Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers.
“We want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to us during this difficult time. It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Brad ‘Maxy’ Maxwell on Sept. 3, 2023. Those who knew him were truly lucky, and he will be deeply missed. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers,” Maxwell’s family wrote on his GoFundMe page.
The page had been established to help pay for the costs of the new treatment Maxwell had been undergoing.
He appeared in 613 regular season games during the course of his career and in another 79 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Maxwell had been a part of the 1981 North Stars team that reached the Stanley Cup Final, but lost in seven games to the Islanders.
Maxwell recorded 368 points (98 goals, 270 assists) over his career and another 61 points (12 goals, 49 assists) in the postseason.
He represented Canada in the IIHF World Championship three times (1978, 1979, 1982) and won the Memorial Cup with the New Westminster Bruins in 1977 before being drafted to the NHL.
He was selected No. 7 overall in the 1977 NHL Draft
After Maxwell had stepped away from the game following his playing career, he started a renovation/construction company in Minnesota and went on to head the Stars’ alumni association, according to the Toronto Sun.
Former North Stars teammate Craig Hartsburg remembered Maxwell in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday.
“It has been a sad 24 hours after learning about the passing of former teammate Brad Maxwell,” wrote Hartsburg, who was part of the North Stars from 1979-1989. “There are people who have character and those that are characters. Maxy was both! God bless the Maxwell family. RIP my friend!”
In a post on X, the Minnesota Wild mourned the loss of Maxwell.
The Wild took up the mantel as Minnesota’s NHL team after the North Stars departed for Dallas in 1993.
“Rest in peace Maxy–former North Stars defenseman and president of the Minnesota NHL Alumni Association. Brad Maxwell and his wife Lori, made Minnesota their home after his 10-year NHL career. The #StateOfHockey will miss you,” the post read.