We're saddened to hear about the passing of Hall-of-Famer Andy Bathgate, who scored the first goal in Pens history. pic.twitter.com/quuR1zEFGK

The Hall of Famer was 83 years old.

Bathgate played 17 seasons in the NHL, 12 of which were spent with the New York Rangers. His final two, however, were with the Penguins: first in 1967-77, when Pittsburgh joined the NHL; and then a final return for the 1970-71 season.

Bathgate's contributions to the Penguins in their beginnings were immense. He not only scored the first goal in franchise history, but was the team's first leading scorer as well. He scored 35 goals and 103 points over 150 games with the Penguins: the most he scored with any non-Rangers team.