Fred Sasakamoose, one of the first Indigenous players in the NHL and a founding member of the Northern Indian Hockey League has passed away after a battle with a presumed case of Covid-19. He was 86.

Saskamoose was born in Debden Saskatchewan on Chrismas day in 1933. He began his hockey career with the Duck Lake Ice Hockey Team.

Saskamoose played 11 games with the Chicago Blackhawks between 1953-54 before playing in various minor leagues until 1961.

He served as a band councilor of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation for 35 years, and spent one term as Chief. Saskamoose was also inducted into multiple halls of fame and a recipient of the Order of Canada in 2017.