Whereas Stan Mikita was born on May 20, 1940, in Czechoslovakia; Whereas Stan Mikita debuted at center for the Chicago Blackhawks in 1958 and played 22 seasons with the team; Whereas Stan Mikita led the Blackhawks to the 1961 Stanley Cup by contributing 11 points in 12 games that year; Whereas Stan Mikita won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer four times, in 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968; Whereas Stan Mikita was a first team All-Star six times; Whereas Stan Mikita is the only player in NHL History to win the Art Ross Trophy for most points scored in a season, the Hart Memorial Trophy awarded to the player most valuable to his team, and the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship in consecutive seasons; Whereas Stan Mikita is the all-time Blackhawks leader in points, games played, assists and is second in goals; Whereas Stan Mikita was a pioneer in using a curved stick to help him shoot the puck more accurately and was one of the first players to wear a helmet full time; Whereas Stan Mikita's number 21 sweater was retired by the Blackhawks on October 19th, 1980; Whereas Stan Mikita was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983; Whereas Stan Mikita was named the 17th greatest NHL player of the 20th century by The Hockey News; Whereas Stan Mikita was beloved by teammates and fans of the Blackhawks for more than five decades; Whereas Stan Mikita was always humble, quick with his trademark boisterous laugh, and was known to mentor younger players on the team; Whereas Stan Mikita was known for his hard-hitting style of play and nicknamed Le Petite Diable , the Little Devil, by admiring opponents; Whereas Stan Mikita spent decades as an ambassador for the Chicago Blackhawks before being given that title formally in 2008; Whereas Stan Mikita was honored as a champion, hockey innovator, and Chicago icon with a statue outside the United Center in 2011; and Whereas Stan Mikita passed away on August 7, 2018, leaving behind a loving family, including his wife Jill of 55 years: Now, therefore, be it