Former Wings coach and player Chris Sanderson, 38, died Thursday, the team announced.
Mr. Sanderson, who played two seasons for the Wings and served as an assistant coach from 2005 to 2011, died after a 31/2-year battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife, Brogann, and daughters Stevie and Clementine.
"This is a very sad day for all Wings fans, Wings players, coaches, management, and ownership," Wings co-owner and president Michael French said in a statement. "Chris' leadership, spirit, and sense of humor were just some of his wonderful traits he possessed. As a fellow Canadian I am eternally grateful for all he did for our national team and our sport.
