Former NHL'er 'Pit' Martin drowns

ROUYN-NORANDA, Quebec, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Former NHL player Hubert "Pit" Martin died Monday, a day after plunging through thin ice on a Canadian lake while riding his snowmobile with a friend.

The accident occurred Sunday on a lake in northern Quebec near his hometown of Rouyn-Noranda.

Martin, 64, spent 10 of his 18 years in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks. He broke into the league with Detroit in 1961 and went to Boston in 1965.

From 1967-78 he racked up 627 points in 740 games for Chicago, seventh-best in team history. During those years, the Hawks made it to the Stanley Cup Finals twice, losing to the Montreal Canadiens in 1971 and 1973.

"Pit was a wonderful human being and a mentor to me," said team General Manager Dale Tallon. "He was such a great man that did so much for his family and the community. He is going to be missed by everyone in our organization."

Martin finished his career with the Vancouver Canucks in 1979, totaling 324 goals and 809 points in 1,101 contests.

Martin was a four-time All-Star (1970-74) and won the Masteron Trophy for perseverance and dedication to the sport after the 1969-70 season.