In some sad hockey news, former number one overall pick, star of the Flames and Canucks, and former Ottawa Senators GM, Mel Bridgman, has passed away. Mel Bridgman, the first general manager in Ottawa Senators history and a respected NHL veteran, <a href='https://www.nhl.com/news/mel-bridgman-dies-at-70' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>has died at the age of 70.</a> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/NHLAlumni/status/1987263942037504462'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> A very physical and extremely intelligent two-way forward, Bridgman played 14 NHL seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, and Vancouver Canucks. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Flyers in the 1975 NHL Draft, he went on to record 701 points in 977 regular-season games and 67 points in 125 playoff appearances. The Flyers are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Mel Bridgman, who was the Flyers first and only player drafted first overall by the club in 1975, the team said in a statement. Bridgman spent a majority of his NHL career in Orange & Black where he appeared in 462 regular season games and another 74 Stanley Cup playoff games over parts of seven seasons from 1975 to 1981. A prototypical power forward who exemplified Flyers style-hockey, Bridgman also served as captain of the Flyers for parts of three seasons from 1979-1981. A smart, two-way forward, he helped lead the team to two Stanley Cup Final appearances in 1976 and 1980. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mel's family and friends during this very difficult time. <h3>Mel Bridgman was the captain for both the Flyers and Devils, totalling 5 years</h3> Bridgman served as captain of the Flyers from 1979 to 1981 and the Devils from 1984 to 1987, bringing leadership and consistency wherever he played. He helped Philadelphia reach the Stanley Cup Final twice, in 1976 and 1980, and was among the NHL's most respected competitors of his era. Bridgman was traded from Philadelphia to Calgary during the 1981-82 season, and he made an immediate impact, where he put up 75 points in just 63 games with the Flames. Later in his career, Bridgman played in Detroit and Vancouver before finally retiring after the 1988-89 season. After a playing career, the Trenton, Ontario native entered management, becoming the first general manager of the expansion Ottawa Senators in 1991 and guiding them into the league in 1992-93. Bridgman's influence on and off the ice left an indelible mark on every organization he touched, whether it be as a captain, teammate, or builder who helped shape the modern NHL.