Pierre Pilote Cheering On Hawks

One of the feel good stories in Chicago is how the team and fans have embraced their past. The 1961 team that won the franchise's last Stanley Cup is front and center, especially with the Hawks two greatest players - Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita - front and center in the revival.

That 1961 team featured a lot of notable players - Glenn Hall in net, Red Hay, Ken Wharram and Eric Nesterenko up front - but arguably the key player was number one defenseman Pierre Pilote. Pilote, pictured 2nd from the left, was a fantastic defender in the pre-Bobby Orr mould.

Pilote lives in Wyevale, Ontario nowadays. His local community newspaper recently caught up with Pilote and discussed his old playing days and Chicago's renewed hopes for a Stanley Cup championship.