Posts
Until we retire certain numbers from our team the ghosts at the ACC that migrated over from Maple Leaf Gardens will never rest.
And the Leafs may never win another cup....
So I will symbolically retire these numbers and give my reasons as why I do so. Below is a list of "Honoured Leafs Numbers" and the players that wore those numbers.
# 1 1 4 4 7 7 9 9 10 10 21 27 27 | Player Johnny Bower Turk Broda Hap Day Red Kelly King Clancy Tim Horton Charlie Conacher Ted Kennedy Syl Apps George Armstrong Borje Salming Frank Mahovlich Darryl Sittler | Seasons (1959-70) (1937-52) (1926-37) (1959-67) (1931-37) (1950-70) (1930-38) (1943-57) (1937-48) (1950-71) (1973-89) (1957-68) (1971-82) | Honoured Mar. 11, 1995 Mar. 11, 1995 Oct. 6, 2006 Oct. 6, 2006 Nov. 21, 1995 Nov. 21, 1995 Feb. 28, 1998 Oct. 3, 1993 Oct. 3, 1993 Feb. 28, 1998 Oct. 6, 2006 Oct. 3, 2001 Feb. 8, 2003 |
These are the numbers that should be retired in my opinion not simply "Honoured"
The Number 14 is a totally different topic and I can honestly say it's an embarrassment that this number is not "Honoured" never mind "Retired" so I'll leave that be for now.
The Number 1
Johnny “The China Wall” Bower:
"John William (Johnny) "The China Wall" Bower "Bower helped show that it was possible for a goaltender to carry his team through the playoffs, and helped prove that a hot goalie can make the difference between an early exit and a berth in the finals.
Johnny Bower was twice awarded the Vezina Trophy as top goaltender, was a First Team All-Star, was picked by fans in 1995 as goalie on the All-Time Great Leaf Team, and backed Toronto to four Stanley Cup victories. Not bad for a goalie who bounced around the minor leagues for 13 years before finally breaking into the NHL for good. Despite winning the Les Cunningham Trophy as the American League's most valuable player three times, and the Larry Holmes Trophy as leading goaltender three times, Bower didn't get a real shot in the NHL until the 1958-59 season.
Bower compiled 220 wins, 33 shutouts and a goals-against average of 2.53 in his 11 seasons with Toronto. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976. Johnny Bower served as a scout with the Maple Leafs for more than 20 years after retiring in 1970, and is still one of the most active and recognized Maple Leaf Alumni in and around the city.
• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1994-95
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1976
• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1965
• Awarded Vezina Trophy as Top Goaltender, NHL, 1964-65
• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1964
• Awarded Vezina Trophy as Top Goaltender, NHL, 1960-61
• NHL First All-Star Team Goalie, 1960-61
• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1960
Turk “The Fabulous Fat Man” Broda:
"Walter Edward (Turk) "The Fabulous Fat Man" Broda"The 1940s were dynasty years for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team won five Stanley Cups in the decade, all with the unflappable Walter 'Turk' Broda in net. Broda helped further decorate the glorious decade for the Leafs by adding two Vezina trophies (1940-41 & 1947-48) to the team's collection of awards and honours.
Broda's career goals-against average in the playoffs was a remarkable 1.98 over 211 games. He was selected three times as an All-Star, and by the time Broda was done blocking shots for the Maple Leafs he had collected more shutouts (62) and wins (302) than any other Leaf goaltender. These are records that still stand today. Walter 'Turk' Broda was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1967.
• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1994-95
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1967
• Awarded Vezina Trophy as Top Goaltender, NHL, 1950-51
• Awarded Vezina Trophy as Top Goaltender, NHL, 1947-48
• NHL First All-Star Team Goalie, 1947-48
• NHL Second All-Star Team Goalie, 1941-42
• Awarded Vezina Trophy as Top Goaltender, NHL, 1940-41
• NHL First All-Star Team Goalie, 1940-41
• Leaf record for career shutouts (62) and wins (302)
The Number 4
Hap Day:
Hap DayHap Day was the most prodigious winner the Toronto Maple Leafs ever had. He was a great captain and a Hall of Fame player. Over a 10-year span beginning in 1927, his Leafs made four trips to the Stanley Cup finals. In all, Hap Day captained, coach or managed the Leafs to seven of their 11 Stanley Cups. "I think that's something you need to remember about my Dad," said Kerry Day. "How many Toronto players have their names on seven Stanley Cups?"
Players such as Ted Kennedy considered Hap Day the best coach they ever played for. "We won five championships," said Kennedy, "basically because of our coaching."
Day was a taskmaster who demanded the most from his men. Much to the dismay of some on-ice officials, he knew the rule book inside out and could quote it verbatim. "If Day argues a call," Hall of Fame official Bill Chadwick once said, "you have to wonder if you were wrong." In all, he won five Cup championships as coach of the Leafs: in 1942 and 1945, then three in a row from 1947 to 1949 - the first coach in NHL history to accomplish a Stanley Cup hat trick.
The Number 7
Tim Horton:
Miles Gilbert (Tim) HortonTim Horton played 18 straight seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Horton's career is a glowing example of dedication, especially when looked back on from today's era of shifting player loyalties and big-dollar free agent signings. In his almost 20 years wearing jersey #7 for the Leafs, Horton was selected to six All-Star teams and won four Stanley Cups. The quiet leader is arguably the best defenceman in Maple Leaf history, and in 1995 was voted along with Borje Salming as defencemen on the All-Time Great Leaf Team. The blue line leader was in fact a wall on defence, and epitomized the combination of strength, stability and character that scouts still search for in young defencemen.
Horton never scored more than 40 points in a season, but was a peacemaker on the ice and a calming influence on the Leafs during two of the most successful decades in team history. Tim Horton was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.
Tim Horton was amazingly strong. During his playing days Gordie Howe called Horton "hockey's strongest man". Some even claim that it was Horton who used his strength and coordination to invent the slap shot.
• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1995
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1977
• J.P. Bickell Memorial Award, Toronto Maple Leafs MVP, 1969
• NHL First All-Star Team Defence, 1968-69
• NHL First All-Star Team Defence, 1967-68
• NHL Second All-Star Team Defence, 1966-67
• NHL First All-Star Team Defence, 1963-64
• NHL Second All-Star Team Defence, 1962-63
• NHL Second All-Star Team Defence, 1953-54
The Number 9
Charlie "The Big Bomber" Conacher:
Charles William (Charlie) ConacherThe Toronto Maple Leafs came into their own in the 1930s, reaching the league finals seven times in the decade and winning the Stanley Cup in 1932. The recipe for success was toughness provided by Hap Day, leadership by King Clancy, and scoring by Charlie Conacher. Conacher was the franchise's first real offensive dynamo, and was a threat to score whenever he was on the ice.
Conacher was the league's top scorer in both 1934 and 1935, and led the league in goals five times during the 1930s.
• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1997-98
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1961
• NHL First All-Star Team Right Wing, 1935-36
• NHL First All-Star Team Right Wing, 1934-35
• League's Leading Scorer, NHL, 1934-35
• NHL First All-Star Team Right Wing, 1933-34
• Leading Scorer, NHL, 1933-34
• NHL Second All-Star Team Right Wing, 1932-33
• NHL Second All-Star Team Right Wing, 1931-32
• Set Leaf Record for Fastest Opening Goal, 7 seconds, Feb. 6, 1932
Ted 'Teeder' Kennedy:
"Theodre Samuel (Ted Teeder) Kennedy"Kennedy served as Leaf captain from 1948 to 1955 and again in the 1956-57 season, won the Hart Trophy as League MVP in 1955, was a three time All-Star, and won five Stanley Cups in his outstanding 14 year career.
The playmaking centre's numerous accomplishments were mostly the result of relentless hard work and dogged determination. Kennedy was never known as a gifted skater, but his persistence earned him the esteem of teammates. They looked to 'Teeder' as living proof that good things come from a consistent effort, and as the player uniquely capable of captaining the very talented Maple Leaf teams of the 1940s.
ed Kennedy's #9 and Syl Apps' #10 were the first sweater numbers officially honoured by the Maple Leafs. The ceremony was extra special for Kennedy, who held Apps in great esteem. Kennedy inherited the Captain's "C" from Apps in 1948, and looked to the consistent Apps as a true team leader. Kennedy played every game of his career in Toronto, and showed his dedication to the Maple Leaf franchise by coming out of retirement in 1956-57 to help the injury-riddled team.
• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1993-94
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1966
• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1955
• Awarded Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP, NHL, 1954-55
• NHL Second All-Star Team Centre, 1953-54
• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1953
• NHL Second All-Star Team Defence, 1950-51
• NHL Second All-Star Team Defence, 1949-50
The Number 10
Syl Apps:
Syl AppsThe skilled centre spent ten pro seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and served seven of those as team captain. He was awarded the Calder Trophy as outstanding rookie in 1936 and the Lady Byng for gentlemanly play in 1942. Apps also led his team to three Stanley Cups. (Apps spent his entire career in Toronto) and was selected as an All-Star seven times. Jack Adams, for whom the NHL's current Coach of the Year award is named, once referred to Apps as "the greatest centre I've ever seen".
Syl Apps led the Leafs to an emotional four-game sweep of "Terrible" Ted Lindsay's Detroit Red Wings to capture the Stanley Cup in 1948. Apps retired at the top of his sport just weeks later, his status as a hockey legend secured.
• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1993-94
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1961
• NHL Second All-Star Team Centre, 1942-43
• Awarded Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, NHL, 1941-42
• NHL First All-Star Team Centre, 1941-42
• NHL Second All-Star Team Centre, 1940-41
• NHL First All-Star Team Centre, 1938-39
• NHL Second All-Star Team Centre, 1937-38
• Awarded Calder Memorial Trophy, NHL, 1936-37
George “The Chief” Armstrong:
"George Edward (Chief) Armstrong"At a 1950 junior tournament George Armstrong was given the nickname "Chief Shoot-the-puck" by a Native Canadian tribe in Alberta. The name "Chief" stuck with Armstrong.
Armstrong was perhaps the most effective leader in team history, captaining his team for 13 (1957-69) of 21 seasons in the league. The "Chief" accepted the Stanley Cup on behalf of his teammates in 1962, 63, 64 and 67, wore the captain's "C" with pride in the community, and has secured his unique place among the legends of the Toronto Maple Leaf hockey club.
On May 2, 1967, Leaf Captain George Armstrong accepted the Stanley Cup on behalf of his team and proudly lifted it above his shoulders. It was the fourth and last time Armstrong, the longest serving captain in team history, would pose for a picture with the trophy and the last time for any Leaf captain.
George Armstrong didn't light-up the scoreboard like some of his teammates, but his sound positional play, dependability and strength of character made him one of the most important players to ever wear the Maple Leaf on his chest. His contributions went beyond the score sheet. Armstrong certainly chipped in offensively, recording 713 points in 21 seasons with the team, but it is his leadership and resilience for which he will be most remembered
George Armstrong lives in Toronto and is still a member of the Maple Leaf scouting staff. After retiring, Armstrong spent time coaching the Toronto Marlboros and, for a brief time (1988-89), the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1997-98
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1975
• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1959
• Toronto Maple Leaf record for career assists (417) and points (713) by a RW
• Toronto Maple Leaf record for career seasons (21) and games (1,187) played.
