from The Chicago Daily-Herald,

Mike Spellman, the Daily Herald's Chicago Blackhawks expert and the creator of the Spellman's Scorecard column, died unexpectedly Tuesday.

The cause of death is unconfirmed but he appeared to have suffered a heart attack. Today would have been his 51st birthday.

Just last year, Spellman assumed the Blackhawks beat after the death of longtime hockey writer Tim Sassone.

"While you were dazzled by his creativity as a writer and columnist," Sports Editor Tom Quinlan said, "he was such a good and kindhearted person that you were even more impressed by his outgoing spirit and positive nature. We lost a true friend and a colleague we greatly admired," Quinlan said.

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