MONTREAL - OCTOBER 17: Former Montreal Canadiens player Henri Richard #16 waits to drop the puck for the ceremonial opening face off prior to the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens on October 17, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Senators defeated the Canadiens 3-1. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)

MONTREAL - OCTOBER 17: Former Montreal Canadiens player Henri Richard #16 waits to drop the puck for the ceremonial opening face off prior to the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens on October 17, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Senators defeated the Canadiens 3-1. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)

It has been a difficult week for hockey legends. On Friday, Hall of Fame Islanders coach Al Arbour died at the age of 82.

Now comes word that former Montreal Canadiens captain Henri Richard is battling Alzheimer’s disease. Richard won 11 Stanley Cups as a player with Montreal, an NHL record that will likely never be broken.

According to the online translation from Le Journal de Quebec, Richard’s condition has “worsened lately.”

According to the Mayo Clinic's website, "Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions."

There is no known cure.

Richard, brother of Canadiens great Maurice Richard, played 1,256 games for Montreal and notched 1,046 points. In 2005, Henri, 79, was named No. 5 of top-10 all-time Canadiens by the Montreal Gazette.

The report comes from coverage of the Hector "Toe" Blake Alzheimer Celebrity Golf Tournament, named after the Canadiens coach who won eight Stanley Cups with the Habs.

Last December, Canadiens great Jean Beliveau died at the age of 83. In April another Montreal legend, Elmer Lach died at age 97.

Blackhawks Hall of Famer Stan Mikita was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia recently.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper

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