Montreal Canadiens legend Bernard (Boom Boom) Geoffrion passes away
ATLANTA (CP) - Montreal Canadiens legend Bernard (Boom Boom) Geoffrion has died after a battle with stomach cancer. He was 75.
Geoffrion, said to be the inventor of the slapshot, was a charismatic star on powerhouse Canadiens teams in the 1950s and early 1960s. He became the second NHL player, after teammate Maurice (Rocket) Richard, to score 50 goals in a season in 1960-61.
The Canadiens say they will go ahead with plans to retire Geoffrion's No. 5 before their game with the New York Rangers at the Bell Centre. Geoffrion's wife Marlene, children Linda, Robert and Danny and his grandchildren will be on hand for the ceremony.
Geoffrion was admitted to hospital last week in Atlanta, where he has lived since coaching the NHL's Atlanta Flames in the 1970s. Doctors tried operating but discovered that the cancer had spread too much.
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