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June 11: On this day in 1964, the Leafs drafted defenseman Mike Pelyk 17th overall in the '64 Amateur Draft. Pelyk played 441 NHL games in his career, all with the Leafs between 1968 and 1978. Towards the end of his professional career, Pelyk bounced between the WHA, the Leafs and the minors.
June 11: On this day in 1970, the Leafs drafted the future Hall-of-Famer that would become the backbone of the Leafs' franchise throught the 1970's and early '80's. Darryl Sittler was selected as Toronto's first choice, 8th overall and turned into one of the best ever Leaf draft choices. As of 2007, he still holds many Leaf team records as well as the NHL record of 10 points in a single game. Sittler became team captain after the departure of Dave Keon in 1975 and ended up defending teammates through a nasty divorce with the Leafs during the 1980's. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
June 11: On this day in 1970, with their 2nd pick, 22nd overall, the Leafs drafted left-winger Errol Thompson. The Prince Edward Island native played his first Leaf game on March 28, 1971. In 1975-76, Thompson was united with Darryl Sittler and Lanny McDonald on one of the most potent lines in the NHL and his output soared to a career high of 43 goals and 80 points. After that, his numbers diminished and he was eventually traded to Detroit in 1978.
