These athletes left us in 2023

A few days before the new year, The Press gives a final tip of the hat to these athletes, coaches, managers or journalists from the Sports planet

Gino Odjick (January 15, 52 years old)

A former player and strongman in the National Hockey League (NHL), he played with the Vancouver Canucks, the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers before finishing his career with the Montreal Canadiens. With 2,567 penalty minutes in 605 NHL season games, this left winger, native of the Algonquin Anishinabeg nation in Quebec, was recognized for his kindness and his commitment to his community.

Bobby Hull (January 30, 84 years old)

A hockey player (left winger), Hull was the highest scorer for the Chicago Blackhawks with 604 of his 610 NHL goals. Hull was the first big star to make the jump to the World Hockey Association (WHA) by joining the Winnipeg Jets. When the WHA dissolved, Hull played a few games in the NHL again, with the Jets and the Hartford Whalers. His post-career has been marked by several controversies.

Greta Andersen (February 6, 95 years old)

Danish swimmer, specialist in open water competitions. On August 3, 1958, she won the 4^e edition of the International Crossing of Lake Saint-Jean with a time of 8 hours and 17 minutes. She is the first woman to win this event ahead of all other competitors, men and women. In 1948, she won a gold and a silver medal in the swimming pool at the London Olympics.

Tim McCarver (February 16, 81 years old)

A professional baseball player (catcher), McCarver had a career from 1959 to 1980 with four teams, including the Montreal Expos in 1972. With the St. Louis Cardinals, he won the World Series in 1964 and 1967. Later , he became a television sports commentator and analyst, winning three Emmy Awards.

Glen Weir (March 13, 71)

A former star defensive tackle for the Montreal Alouettes, Weir played 203 games with the team between 1972 and 1984, winning the Gray Cup in 1974 and 1977. He was named best defensive player in the 1977 Gray Cup game, held to Montreal.

Dick Groat (April 27, age 92)

An accomplished American professional athlete, Groat played in major league baseball (MLB) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). In baseball, this shortstop played from 1952 to 1967 with four teams, winning the World Series in 1960 and 1967. He also played one season as a professional basketball player with the Fort Wayne Pistons, in 1952-1953.

Petr Klima (May 4, 58 years old)

Former professional hockey player of Czech origin. Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1983, this left winger played with five NHL teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 1990. His NHL record is 313 goals and 573 points in 786 games.

Vida Blue (May 7, 73 years old)

Left-handed pitcher who played with four major league baseball teams between 1969 and 1986 (209 wins, 161 losses). In the 1970s, Blue was a member of the Oakland Athletics who won three World Series. He also won the Cy Young Award once, given to the best pitcher.

Jim Brown (May 18, 87 years old)

A professional American football player, he spent his entire career with the Cleveland Browns (1957-1965). This powerful running back played 118 games, totaling 12,312 yards and 106 touchdowns. Subsequently, he had a long career as an actor (The Dirty Dozen, El Condor, Mars Attacks!) and became involved in the defense of civil rights.

Ryan Mallett (June 27, age 35)

A former NFL player, this backup quarterback played with the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens from 2012 to 2017.

Rockwell Wirtz (July 25, age 70)

Owner of the Chicago Blackhawks. Nicknamed Rocky, he was at the head of the team that won the Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015. But his time was marred by a major scandal involving video instructor Brad Aldrich, accused of having sexually assaulted a rookie player.

Bobby Baun (August 14, 86 years old)

A former NHL defenseman, he played 11 consecutive seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967. He also played with the Oakland Seals and the Red Wings of Detroit before finishing his career with the Leafs.

Alexandra Paul (August 22, 31 years old)

Former Canadian figure skater. She competed at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, where she competed in pairs with her partner and husband Mitchell Islam.

Yvon Pedneault (August 26, 77 years old)

Quebec sports journalist, Yvon Pedneault has worked in several media, including The Montreal Journal, The Press, RDS, TVA Sports and BPM Sports. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998.

Brooks Robinson (September 26, 86 years old)

Star baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, with whom he played throughout his 23-season career. This third baseman hit 2848 hits (268 home runs) in 2896 games. He won the World Series twice with the Orioles, in 1966 and 1970, the year he won the playoff MVP award.

Chris Snow (September 30, 42 years old)

Assistant general manager of the Calgary Flames and former reporter for Boston Globe, where he covered the activities of the Boston Red Sox.

Tim Wakefield (1^er October, 57 years old)

Former star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in major league baseball. This butterfly ball specialist helped his team win the World Series twice, in 2004 and 2007. He also played two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates early in his career.

Dick Butkus (October 5, 80 years old)

Former player of the Chicago Bears (1965-1973), he was considered one of the best linebackers of his generation. He was selected eight times for the Pro Bowl, the NFL All-Star game.

Brendan Malone (October 10, 88 years old)

Former NBA basketball coach and assistant coach. He was an assistant coach for the championship-winning Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990. During the 1995-1996 season, he became the first head coach of the Toronto Raptors. He also served as interim head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Claude Bédard (October 14, 86 years old)

One of the pillars of Quebec JournalMr. Bédard headed the Sports section for 28 years, from 1969 to 1997. He also worked as a radio and television analyst during Quebec Nordiques matches.

Bobby Charlton (October 21, 86 years old)

Legendary British footballer (attacking midfielder). Long associated with the Manchester United team, he helped his country win the Soccer World Cup presented in England in 1966.

Adam Johnson (October 28, age 29)

Hockey player of American origin. He played 13 games in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins before continuing his career in Europe.

Gilles Terroux (October 28, 81 years old)

Former journalist and director of the Sports section of Montreal Journal. He began his career at The Press and, upon his arrival at JdeM in 1972, had covered the Canada-USSR Century Series.

Bobby Knight (1^er November, 83 years old)

Famous college basketball coach from the United States. He managed three teams in 43 years, including the Indiana Hoosiers from 1971 to 2000, whom he led to three NCAA championships. Also known for its caustic side.

Willie Hernandez (November 20, 69 years old)

Baseball pitcher who played with the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers between 1977 and 1989. In 1984, he won both the American League Most Valuable Player and the Cy Young Award. He won the World Series with Detroit in 1984.