Flint Businessman/Hockey Player Bob Perani Passes Away

Bob Perani played his first game as the goalie with the Flint Generals on New Year's eve of 1969. He played five years with the Generals before retiring from the sport that he loved. A few years later, Perani would get back into the game of hockey when he opened Bob Perani's Sports Shop in 1976. His little store in Flint grew. Exponentially. Now known as Perani's Hockey World, it's considered the largest independent hockey equipment distributor in the world.

Perani built the business with his wife Kris, which now boasts 19 retail stores and is known by hockey players around the world.

Perani lost his wife to cancer in 2006. The next year, his "Perani Group" bought the Flint Generals. The Generals played their last game in 2010, but Perani's name graces the arena he once played in.

Perani, 69, passed away while on an international flight over the weekend. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.

Bob Perani left his mark on Flint, and his memory will live on as his children continue to operate the business he started.

If there's hockey in Heaven, they've got a good one between the pipes tonight.