On This Day March 29th.

March 29: On this day in 1938, former Leafs defenseman Duane Rupp was born in MacNutt, Saskatchewan. Rupp's first couple of games with the Leafs were as a callup in February, 1965. He played a couple a games per season and patiently waited for a full time opportunity which came in the 1967-68 season. Although he was a dependable +16 on a Leaf team that failed to make the playoffs, Rupp was lost in the Intra-League Draft after just one complete season. He had a goal and 8 assists in a Leaf uniform. 

March 29: On this day in 1980, Toronto's 1st choice, 6th overall in 1975 Don Ashby scored his first career hat trick and added three assists as a member of the Edmonton Oilers. Ashby was playing on a line with rookie sensation Wayne Gretzky. Tragically, Don Ashby suffered fatal injuries in an automobile accident May 30, 1981 and died at the age of 26. 

Side note: Watch as former leaf defenseman and current Leaf coach Ron Wilson scores on his own net.

March 29: On this day in 1980, the Leafs lost at home to Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers 8-5, overshadowing a hat trick performance by the Leafs' own number 99, Wilf Paiement. During his 20 year NHL playing career, Gretzky feasted on Toronto goaltending. On this night he recorded 2 goals and added 4 assists. In 1979-80, his first NHL season, Gretzky had 4 goals and 10 assists against the Leafs in just 4 games. As of 2007-08 the Leafs have an all-time losing record against the Oilers of W-36, L-37, T-8, OL-1. As of 2008, the Leafs and the Oilers have never met in the playoffs.


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