On This Day November 2nd.

November 2: On this day in 1947, The Maple Leafs conducted one of the biggest trades in their history. The Leafs sent an unprecedented 5 players, Bud Poile, Bob Goldham, Gaye Stewart, Gus Bodnar and Ernie Dickens to Chicago in exchange for Cy Thomas and the grand prize of the transaction, Max Bentley. In six seasons with the Leafs, Bentley helped them win 3 Stanley Cups and tied Rocket Richard as the 1951 playoff point-scoring leader.

November 2: On this day in 1948, ex-Leaf defenseman and later, assistant coach Rick Ley was born in Orillia, Ontario. Ley was chosen 16th overall by Toronto in the 1966 Amateur Draft. He played 229 games for the Leafs between 1968-72 and became one of the first Leafs to jump to the NHL's rival WHA in 1972. He played throughout the WHA's seven years of existence, all with the New England Whalers who became the Hartford Whalers when the WHA and NHL merged prior to the 1979-80 NHL season. As a Maple Leaf, Ley had 8 goals and 54 assists.

November 2: On this day in 1957, Pete Conacher, son of legendary Leaf Charlie Conacher made his debut with the Leafs. Pete only played five games in Toronto, November 2, 9, 10, 13 and 16th. On November 18th, 1957 he was dealt back to the New York Rangers. He never played another NHL game. As a Leaf, Pete Conacher had but one assist.


November 2: On this day in 1973, ex-Leaf defenseman David Cooper was born in Ottawa, Ontario. Cooper has the distinction of being signed as a free agent twice by the Leafs, once in September of 1996 and once in October of 2000. Altogether Cooper played 30 NHL games, all for the Leafs between 1996 and 2001. He registered 3 goals and 7 assists.

November 2: On this day in 1973, ex-Leaf defenseman Jason Smith was born in Calgary, Alberta. Smith played parts of three seasons with the Leafs in the late 1990's but was traded to Edmonton in 1999 for a draft pick (Jonathon Zion). In 2001, Smith became the Oilers' team captain and has proven to be a steady and dependable rearguard.

November 2: On this day in 1974, the Leafs re-acquired defenseman Rod Seiling from the Washington Capitals for Tim Ecclestone and Willie Brossart. Seiling's NHL career had begun on March 2, 1963 when he played one game as a Leaf, recording one assist in a 4-3 win over the Rangers. The following season he was traded to New York where he played most of his career. In Seiling's 2nd stint as a Leaf, he played in 137 games, scoring 8 goals and assisting on 28 more between 1974 and 1976.

November 2: On this day in 1989, Luke Schenn was born in Saskatoon, Sask, Canada. Schenn played junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL). In his final WHL season, Schenn was named to the league's Second All-Star Team. He was a highly touted prospect heading into the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, where he was selected in the first round (fifth overall) by the Maple Leafs. Schenn started his professional career in the NHL during the 2008–09 season and has played with the Leafs since his NHL debut. After his rookie season, Schenn's play was recognized when he was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team. He has represented Canada internationally, winning a gold medal at the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and a silver medal at the 2009 World Ice Hockey Championships.

Schenn is a stay-at-home defenceman whose main focus is preventing goals rather than scoring. With a physical style of play, he is usually among the league leaders in hits. His charity "Luke's Troops" helps military families attend Maple Leafs home games. His younger brother Brayden was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

November 2: On this day in 2011, Joffrey Lupul collected his first natural hat trick as a Maple Leaf at the 06:31, 09:45, and 13:13 marks in a 2nd period flurry to lift Toronto past the New Jersey Devils 5-3.

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