Being the son of a legend is never easy. On November 24, 1990, The New York Times reported the death of Fred Shero, who passed away at the age of 65 from cancer. He was celebrated as an innovator in the world of hockey, whose unconventional ideas helped guide the Philadelphia Flyers to two Stanley Cup victories in the 1970s, and later brought the Rangers close to triumph in 1979. Beyond hockey, Fred was also a father to two sons.
One of his sons, Ray Shero, decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, though he took a different path. Ray played hockey at St. Lawrence University before transitioning to the NHL’s executive side. Through his recruitment efforts, Ray helped build the Pittsburgh Penguins, culminating in their Stanley Cup win in 2009. Ray passed away on April 9, 2025, at the age of 62. The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.
The Minnesota Wild shared the devastating news of Ray’s death on X, expressing their condolences to his family, friends, and the many lives he impacted throughout his career. The team’s statement read, “Ray was the best. He will be greatly missed by all of us. The Shero family asks for privacy during this difficult time.” According to The New York Times, Ray died in Arizona after a short illness.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman spoke to The Times, describing Ray as someone whose “smile and personality lit up every room he walked into and brightened the day of everyone he met.” Bettman went on to praise Ray for his talent for team-building and his sharp eye for talent, but noted that what made Ray most beloved was how he treated everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Among those particularly affected by Ray’s death was former Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, who struggled to hold back tears while speaking to The New York Times. “I feel like I’ve lost my hockey dad,” he said. Like many others, Dan didn’t know Ray had been ill. “From what I hear, that’s what Ray wanted,” he explained. “He had this huge circle because everyone loved Ray. But only a handful of people knew.”
