Minnesota hockey star and NHL exec Tom Kurvers dead at 58 of lung cancer

• Minnesota Wild assistant general manager Tom Kurvers, who spent 11 seasons playing in the NHL, died Monday at age 58.
• Kurvers was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer, in 2019.
• His death on Monday was announced publicly by the Minnesota Wild.

Minnesota Wild assistant general manager Tom Kurvers has died of lung cancer.

He was 58.

Kurvers, who spent 11 seasons in the NHL and won the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's best player while playing at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer, in 2019, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

His death on Monday was announced publicly by the Minnesota Wild.

"From Minnesota high school standout, to Hobey Baker Award winner and Stanley Cup champion, Tom's passion for success in hockey could only be surpassed by the love and optimism he shared with his family and friends each and every day," the Wild said in a statement.

The team added: "Tom's kindness and enthusiasm will be greatly missed by the countless number of people on whom he had a positive influence throughout his life."