Alan Thicke died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack while playing hockey with his 19-year-old son. The Canadian-born entertainer was 69 years old. The hockey world's reaction was immediate.
The NHL family is sad to learn of the passing of longtime hockey fan Alan Thicke. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/5ADyWRksuf
— NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2016
Thicke, best known for playing Dr. Jason Seaver on the 1980s sitcom "Growing Pains," was an avid hockey fan. He was good friends with Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky and was instrumental in helping the Kings acquire Gretzky from the Oilers in 1988.