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May 15: On this day in 1953, Pat Hickey was born in Brantford, Ontario ( same town as a guy named Gretzky). Hickey became a Leaf in 1979 in the trade that sent very popular Leaf Lanny McDonald to Colorado. He quickly helped to quell the wrath of Leaf fans by firing 22 goals in just 45 games as a Leaf. His production tailed off dramatically the next season however, and after one game with Toronto in 1981-82, he was dealt to the New York Rangers for an insignificant 5th round draft choice.
May 15: On this day in 1964, Dave Reid was born in Toronto, Ontario. Reid was a Leaf left-winger between 1988 and 1991. During the 1990-91 season, Reid tied a 20 year old Maple Leaf team record set by Dave Keon that still stands as of 2007 with 8 shorthanded goals in one regular season. Reid wore the same sweater number (14) for the Leafs as Dave Keon. Towards the end of his career, Reid was fortunate enough to win Stanley Cups with Dallas in 1999 and Colorado in 2001.
May 15: On this day in 1967, the demise of the Leafs empire began when the Leafs traded Eddie Shack to Boston in exchange for Murray Oliver. Shack had been a key component in the four Leaf Stanley Cup victories of the 1960's. In his seven seasons with Toronto, Shack's Leafs did not miss the playoffs once. Murray Oliver played three complete seasons for the Leafs between 1967 and 1970, but had only 3 playoff points in 4 games as the Leafs missed the playoffs in two of those three seasons.
May 15: On this day in 1973, the NHL Entry Draft was held in Montreal where the biggest prize was Denis Potvin, chosen first overall by the New York Islanders. The Leafs also did well, picking up Lanny McDonald at 4th overall and then defenseman Ian Turnbull at 15th overall. Both players were keys to the Leafs success of the late 1970's. In 1977, Turbull became the first and only defenseman in NHL history to score 5 goals in one game.
