PRINCE ALBERT, Saskatchewan (AP) -Dave Balon, who won two Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1960s, has died. He was 68.
Balon had multiple sclerosis for more than 30 years. He died Tuesday, according to the New York Rangers, one of his former teams.
Balon also played for the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota North Stars, as well as the Quebec Nordiques when they were part of the WHA.
The forward began his NHL career with the Rangers in 1959 but was traded to Montreal in a highly publicized deal that brought goaltending great Jacques Plante to New York in 1963. He went on to win the Cup with Montreal in 1965 and ’66.
Balon was first affected by MS toward the end of his playing career in the early 1970s. The disease eventually led to his retirement in 1974. MS continued to slow him during his years coaching in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
He is survived by his wife, Gwen, daughter Jodi and son Jeff.
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