Murray Costello, former Hockey Canada president, dies at age 90

One of the former heads of Canada’s governing body in hockey has passed away.

On Monday, Hockey Canada announced that former president Murray Costello has died at the age of 90.

Hockey Canada president and chief executive officer Katherine Henderson issued a statement following Costello’s passing.

“Hockey Canada sends our condolences to Murray’s family and friends,” Henderson stated. “And everyone he positively impacted throughout his life and tremendous career in hockey. His legacy will continue to benefit hockey in Canada and internationally for generations to come.”

The South Porcupine, Ontario native spent four seasons in the NHL, playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings.

After hanging up his skates, he began working behind the scenes. After working in the Western Hockey League for over a decade, he was voted the first full-time president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association in 1979. He helped orchestrate the modern way the Canadian National Junior Team is put together, which eventually led to Team Canada capturing its first gold medal at the 1982 IIHF World Junior Championship.

During his time with Hockey Canada, Canada won 10 World Junior gold medals, including five straight from 1993 to 1997.

While as president of the CAHA, Costello oversaw the creation of the women’s national team in Canada, as well as helping put on the inaugural IIHF Women’s World Championship in 1990.

In 1994, the CAHA and Hockey Canada agreed to a merger, with Costello being appointed president of the revamped organization, a position he held until he retired in 1998.

After retiring from Hockey Canada, Costello focused solely on the IIHF, as a member of the council from 1998 to 2012, also serving as the vice president from 2008 to 2012. In that final year, Costello became a lifetime member of the IIHF, which was followed up by being named an Officer of the Order of Canada, and being named to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, in 2013.

In 2014, he was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame, and three years later, was named to the Order of Hockey in Canada.