His smile could light up a room.  In fact, I witnessed it one night back in the winter of 2013. 

Fred Sasakamoose, the former Moose Jaw Canucks star, was a guest in our city that night.  Then-city councilor Don Mitchell invited him for a special presentation of the local Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee.  Don thought he'd go on stage for a one-on-one with Fred.  Don couldn't get a word in.  Sasakamoose simply stole the show. 

He was so happy to reunite with two former teammates;  Dave Banting and Murray Smail were there to see Fred.  They all played for the Canucks in the winter of 1950-51.  All three of those guys are gone now.  Fred Sasakamoose passed away yesterday at age 86 after battling COVID-19. 

They say Sasakamoose could have been a superstar in the NHL - he did play 11 games one season with the Chicago Blackhawks - one of the first indigenous players in the league.  But, after spending much of his youth at an Indian residential school, Fred just wanted to go home.  He wanted to be with his people and raise a family.  That's what he did. 

Fred Sasakamoose and his wife, Loretta had 9 children and over 100 grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

That is the legacy he wanted to leave.