Flyers legend Rick MacLeish dies at age 66

Rick MacLeish, who was the first 50-goal scorer in Philadelphia Flyers history and whose goal clinched the 1974 Stanley Cup, died Monday night, the team confirmed. He was 66.

His daughter, Brianna MacLeish, told Philly.com that her father had been battling meningitis, kidney and liver problems.

"With the passing of Rick MacLeish, the Flyers have lost one of their legends," Flyers president Paul Holmgren said in a statement.

MacLeish, a key memberof the 1970s Broad Street Bullies teams, scored the only goal in Game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins to clinch the first championship in Flyers' history. He hoisted a second Stanley Cup the following season, again leading all players in postseason scoring.

The native of Cannington, Ontario, had 22 points in the 1974 playoffs to lead Philadelphia and 20 points in the 1975 playoffs.

A few years earlier, MacLeish became the youngest player in NHL history to score 50 goals as he accomplished the feat during the 1972-73 season.

"Ricky was like poetry in motion on the ice," former Flyers left winger and coach Bill Barber told Philly.com. "He was so fluid with his skating style and his wrist shot. He was an exceptional skater, and you have to realize that in that era the good skaters stood out."

MacLeish, a three-time All-Star selection, had 349 goals and 410 assists for 759 points in 846 NHL games over 14 seasons for the Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers and Detroit Red Wings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.