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June 10: On this day in 1959, Brian Cullen's days as a Leaf center officially came to a close when he was lost to the New York Rangers in the Intra-League draft. Cullen had been with the Leafs for five seasons between 1954 and 1959 along with his brother Barry who was also a Leaf for most of those years. Brian Cullen had 37 goals and 60 assists in 220 games as a Leaf that also included a lot of time in the minors. His best season in Toronto by far was 1957-58 when he potted 20 goals and added 43 assists.
June 10: On this day in 1971, the Leafs made Rick Kehoe their first choice, 22nd overall in the 1971 Entry Draft. Kehoe's promising Leaf career began in January of 1972 and he was set to play a major role with the Leafs of the 1970's. After three seasons in Toronto, including a second NHL campaign with 33 goals and 42 assists, Kehoe stunned Leaf management and fans when he declared that he would no longer play in Toronto. He demanded a trade to anywhere. The Leafs granted his wish and sent him to Pittsburgh in exchange for Blaine Stoughton. Kehoe went on to enjoy 11 successful years in Pittsburgh where he netted 312 goals including a 1980-81 season of 55 goals. Had those 55 goals come with the Leafs, it would remain an all-time one-season Leaf team record as of 2008.
June 10: On this day in 1981, the Leafs selected Jim Benning in the first round of the Entry Draft, 6th overall. Like many young and talented players in this era of Leaf history, Benning was pushed into NHL action without time to mature in the minors. He struggled from the start in 1981 and toiled with Toronto until being traded in 1986 after 364 regular season Leaf games, but only 4 playoff games. Like many other Leaf defensemen in the 1980's, his plus/minus numbers were disastrous.
