On This Day November 19th.

November 19: On this day in 1929, Leaf defenseman and future Hall-of-Famer Hap Day scored 4 goals in a 10-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In one evening, Day recorded more than half of his entire goal output in the 1929-30 season when he scored 7 goals in 43 games. Pittsburgh defenseman John McKinnon also scored four goals in the same game. It has been the only time in NHL history when two defenseman scored four goals in the same game.

November 19: On this day in 1949, Bob Hassard played his first NHL game at center with the Leafs. It was the only game he played that season. In that era, the Leafs were deep at the center position and the lineup was tough to crack. Nevertheless, Hassard did play 109 games for Toronto through 1954, scoring 9 goals and adding 28 assists. He never played a playoff game for the Leafs but his name was included at the engraver's office after the Leafs won the Cup in 1951, even though Bob Hassard played just 12 regular season games that year.

November 19: On this day in 1966, in the final season of the "Original Six", the NHL regular season standings were as follows:

Chicago Toronto New York Boston Montreal Detroit

GP 12 14 15 13 12 14

W 8 4 4 5 5 4

L 2 3 6 5 6 8

T 2 7 5 3 1 2

GF 48 34 43 36 26 43

GA 27 36 43 41 28 49

Pts 18 15 13 13 11 10

November 19: On this day in 1967, Hall-of-Fame Leaf defenseman Tim Horton played in his 1000th game as a Toronto Maple Leaf. Horton was part of a Leaf defensive nucleus that propelled them to four Stanley Cups between 1962 and 1967. After playing 1185 games as a Leaf, Horton went on to play 261 more regular season games with the Rangers, Penguins and Sabres.

November 19: On this day in 1971, former leaf defenseman Dmitry Yushkevich was born in Cherepovets, U.S.S.R. Yushkevich played 506 games over 7 seasons as a Leaf after a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1995 brought him to Toronto. At his peak and mostly under Head Coach Pat Quinn, Yushkevich was briefly considered to be one of the premier defensemen in the NHL. He was one of three Leafs, along with Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph to represent the Leafs at the NHL All-Star game in 2000. He was traded to the Florida Panthers in the summer of 2002.

November 19: On this day in 2010, Pat Burns, one of the most successful NHL coaches of the past 20 years, died Friday after a lengthy battle with cancer. Burns, 58, died while surrounded by his family at La Maison Aube-Lumière in Sherbrooke, Que. due to colon cancer which eventually spread to his lungs. During his 14-year NHL coaching career, Burns posted a 501-353-151-14 record in 1,019 games behind the bench of the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. Burns won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2003, and is the only person in league history to win three Jack Adams Trophies, awarded to the NHL's coach of the year.

Pat Burns in his own words

"To listen to the national anthem being sung at the Montreal Forum and look up and see all those Stanley Cup banners up there and saying, 'What am I doing here?'" — on his first game as coach of the Montreal Canadiens.

"It was a great time … just some great people.… Got to the final, Calgary decided they weren't going to lose another one like they did in '86 [to Montreal]." — on Montreal losing the 1989 Stanley Cup final to the Flames.

"I remember being on the ice after the game, and I remember Ron MacLean coming up to me with the microphone, and I didn't know what to say. I was baffled for words." — on winning the 2003 Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils.

"I tell my friends and family if you feel something, go to the doctor, get diagnosed, get something checked out." — on the importance of personal health.

"I don't want anybody feeling sorry for me. I've had a great life, I've had an enjoyable life, I've had some fun. I've been lucky to be part of one of the greatest sports around [and] the National Hockey League." — on retiring from coaching after being diagnosed with cancer.

On This Day February 11th.

St. Pats Logo & Ottawa Senators Logos

February 11: On this day in 1922, the first tie game in NHL history was played between the Toronto St. Pats and the Ottawa Senators. The game ended in a 4-4 tie, even after 20 minutes of overtime. Prior to 1922, regular season games that were tied after regulation time kept going until one team scored the winner. The 1921–22 Ottawa Senators season was the club's 37th season of play, fifth season in the NHL, and they were coming off back-to-back Stanley Cup Championship seasons, winning in 1920 and 1921. The Senators would finish in first place in the standings, but lost in the playoff to the Toronto St. Pats.

Frank Nigro

February 11: On this day in 1960, Frank Nigro was born in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Despite being a 4th choice, 93rd overall in 1979, Nigro made the NHL and played 68 games for the Leafs over two seasons between 1982 and 1984. As a center in a relatively hig-scoring era, more was expected of Nigro and he spent most of his second year in the minors. In 1984, he became the 2nd Leaf player of the 1980's, along with Bob Manno to leave the Leafs and go over to play in Italy.

Tim Horton

February 11: On this day in 1961, Tim Horton began a streak of 486 consecutive games played and to this day, he holds the Leafs' team Iron Man record. Horton also holds the Leafs team record of 10 complete seasons played. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977. Today there are Tim Horton donut shops all across Canada.

February 11: On this day in 2011, The Toronto Maple Leafs officially honoured number 13 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. This was a tribute to Mats Sundin who played for Toronto for 13 seasons. Unfortunately it was on a night that the Leafs were embarrassed 5-0 by the Montreal Canadians.

Former Toronto Maple Leaf Mats Sundin and his wife Josephine Johansson

Number: 13
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 231
Shoots: Right
Born: 13 Feb 1971
Birthplace: Bromma, Sweden
Acquired: Acquired from Quebec along with Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner and Philadelphia's first round choice in 1994 Entry Draft (Nolan Baumgartner) in exchange for Wendel Clark, Sylvain Lefebvre, Landon Wilson and Toronto's first round choice in 1994 Entry Draft (Jeffrey Kealty) June 28, 1994. Originally Quebec's first choice, first overall, in 1989 Entry Draft.
Drafted: QUE / 1989 NHL Entry Draft
Round: 1st (1st overall)

Mats Sundin Banner Raising Ceremony Below
The entire Mats Sundin banner raising ceremony and speech. 2/11/2012 15:35 Mins

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On This Day January 15th.

Denis DeJordy

January 15:  On this day in 1967, the Leafs were shutout 4-0 by Denis DeJordy and the Chicago Black Hawks. It was the first Leaf loss in a streak of 10 consecutive losses in a row. As of 2006-07, 10 consecutive losses is a Leaf team record. Ironically, the Leafs would go on that season to qualify for a playoff spot and win their 4th Stanley Cup in six years. Leaf Captain, George Armstrong iced the game with 47 seconds remaining in the game scoring into the empty net, giving the Toronto Maple Leafs their last Stanley Cup to date 2009/10 season. The back bone of the Leafs were an aging pair of goaltenders, Terry Sawchuk and Johnny Bower.

Tim Horton, first Maple Leaf "D" to hit 100 goals.

January 15:  On this day in 1969, Tim Horton became the first defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs history to score 100 career goals. The milestone came in Horton's 19th NHL season as a Leaf. Toronto tied the visiting Boston Bruins 5-5. Tim Horton was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977. During the 1995-96 season, the Buffalo Sabres retired Horton's Number 2 while that same season, the Toronto Maple Leafs' honoured Number 7 in honour of Tim Horton. "Tim was as hard-nosed a defenseman as hard-nosed gets," explained Leaf general manager Cliff Fletcher. "The Maple Leafs haven't given proper recognition to these great players in the past and we want to change that."

January 15:  On this day in 1967, the Leafs stood firmly in third place in the last season of the "Original Six" Here were the standings:

1967 Toronto Maple Leafs Logo

GP   37   39   37   36   39   38

W   21   20   17   16   13    9

L    11    12    12    16    23    22

T   5   7   8   4   3   7

GF   131   112    99    92   107    92

GA    94    87   100    88   130   134

Pts   47   47   42   36   29   25

On This Day January 12th.

Dave Ritchie scored the very first goal in NHL history. Shown here as a Montreal Canadien.

January 12:  On this day in 1892, *Dave Ritchie was born in Montreal Quebec. Ritchie was in the lineup on NHL opening night in 1917, playing for the Montreal Wanderers against the Toronto Arenas. He is credited with scoring the first ever goal in NHL history. The Wanderers beat Toronto that evening 10-9. It was to be their only victory in NHL play. Dave Ritchie went on to become the first player to play for each of the five original franchises in the NHL, including 4 games with Toronto. In all from 1918 to 1921, Ritchie put in short stints with the Toronto Arenas, Quebec Bulldogs (then of the NHL), and Montreal Canadiens. He then retired as a player for three seasons to work as a referee. It wasn't until 1924 that he rejoined the Habs for a handful of games spread over the two seasons that followed. He then retired from hockey in 1925-26.

Ritchie's Career:

• Signed as a free agent by Quebec (NHA), December 1, 1914.
• Claimed by Mtl. Wanderers from Quebec in Dispersal Draft, November 26, 1917.
• Claimed by Ottawa from Mtl. Wanderers in Dispersal Draft, January 4, 1918.
• Signed as a free agent by Toronto, January 17, 1919. Transferred to Quebec by Toronto when Quebec franchise returned to NHL, November 25, 1919.
• Transferred to Hamilton after Quebec franchise relocated, November 2, 1920.
• Traded to Montreal by Hamilton with Harry Mummery and Jack McDonald for Goldie Prodgers, Joe Matte, Jack Coughlin and loan of Billy Coutu for 1920-21 season, November 27, 1920.
• Signed as a free agent by Montreal, January 28, 1925.
• Signed as a free agent by Montreal, January 13, 1926.

*There is some argument, but it is widely accepted that Montreal Wanderer Dave Ritchie scored the first goal in NHL history, purportedly one minute into one of the first two NHL games held on 19 December 1917. It actually comes down to a matter of time-keeping that has caused confusion: there is no remaining record of when exactly each of the games played that night actually started, and so there is doubt about which of the first two Montreal goals scored is actually the first one. There is no doubt that it was a Montreal player, but whether a Canadien or a Wanderer is under dispute; both teams scored first in the debut NHL games against the Ottawa Senators (v Wanderers) and the Toronto Arenas (v Canadiens).

Joe Malone

There are arguments that Joe Malone scored the first one, scoring six-and-a-half minutes into the first period in his game against the Arenas, possibly notching the first goal in NHL history depending on what time things got started that night. Malone would score at least one goal in each of his first 14 NHL games, and is still a legend in hockey, but this theory is unproven. Either he scored the first NHL goal, or the second NHL goal and the first in Canadiens NHL history...impressive either way.

Ritchie is generally the one who gets the credit, as it is assumed his earler goal (one minute into the game rather than six) makes sense as the first tally. In fact, he only played four games for the Wanderers, and after the Montreal Arena burned down in 1918 (only six games into the first NHL season) moved over to Ottawa, against whom he scored that historic goal. Ritchie, a defenseman, only scored 15 goals in his 94 game NHL career, though he had a remarkable 1916-17 season, the last year of the NHA before it became the NHL...he posted 17 goals and 27 points in just 19 games as a Quebec Bulldog that year.

January 12:  On this day in 1930, legendary Leaf defenseman Tim Horton was born in Cochrane, Ontario. In his long NHL career spent mostly with the Leafs between 1950 and 1970, Horton anchored the blueline and helped the Leafs win four Stanley Cups between 1962 and 1967. He was named an NHL first team All-Star 3 times and a second team All-star 3 times as well. Horton is one of only five players that played over 1,000 games (1,185) in a Leaf uniform. He holds the Leafs' team ironman record having played in 486 consecutive games, including 6 complete seasons between 1961 and 1968. In 1962, Horton finished 2nd in playoff scoring with 16 points in 12 games. He was tragically killed at the age of 44 in a single-car accident on February 21st. 1974. At the time of his death, the chain of doughnut shops under his name which he and a partner established in 1964 had over 30 outlets in operation. Horton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977. His sweater number 7 was officially honored by the Maple Leafs in 1995.

Tim Horton interview:

Nikolai Borschevsky

January 12:  On this day in 1965, Nikolai Borschevsky was born in Tomsk, U.S.S.R. Borschevsky racked up 34 goals and added 40 assists as a Leaf in his first season in the NHL in 1992-93. Because of his age however (27), he was not considered a rookie and his 74 points are not the official Leaf team record for a rookie season. "Nick the Stick" only lasted 142 games with the Leafs as his slight physical frame could not withstand the rigors of the NHL. The highlight of Borschevsky's NHL career came on May 1, 1993 when his overtime goal in Game 7 of the opening round playoff series against Detroit boosted the Leafs into the next round.

John Anderson

January 12:  On this day in 1983, John Anderson scores his first career hat-trick in a 6 to 4 loss to the Boston Bruins. Anderson was drafted in the 1st round, 11th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft. He played 814 career NHL games, scoring 282 goals and 349 assists for 631 points from 1977–78 until 1988–89. His best statistical season was the 1982–83 season, when he set career highs with 49 assists and 80 points.

Curtis Joseph

January 12:  On this day in 2010, Goalie Curtis Joseph retires after 19 NHL seasons. Joseph finishes with 454 career victories, behind only Martin Brodeur (585), Patrick Roy (551) and Ed Belfour (484) on the all-time list. Although he only spent five seasons in a Toronto uniform, he is the franchise's fourth leading goaltender in victories with 138 and tied for seventh in shutouts with 17. Joseph said Toronto marked the high point of his career. His 2.49 goals against average as a Leaf is Toronto's seventh-best all-time.

On This Day January 9th.

Harry "Hap" Holmes

January 9:  On this day in 1918, goaltender Harry "Hap" Holmes played his first game as a member of the Toronto Arenas, on loan to Toronto from Seattle. Toronto defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-4. Holmes played in all of Toronto's remaining games that season and posted a record of 10-6-0. He played two games the following season with Toronto before being reclaimed by Seattle. Harry Holmes backstopped the Arenas to the first Stanley Cup victory in NHL history in 1918. He was posthumously elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972. 

Jim Stewart Hunter Morrison

January 9:  On this day in 1952, the Leafs acquired defenseman Jim Morrison from Boston, sending Fleming MacKell to the Bruins. Morrison was with the Leafs from 1952 through 1958, a rather dark period in Leaf history when the Leafs won only 2 playoff games in 7 years. Although Morrison played 399 regular season games with the Leafs, his playoff contribution for Toronto was just 1 assist in 16 games. His partners on the blueline during that time included Fern Flamen, Jim Thomson, and Tim Horton. Jim Morrison recently retired from the Boston Bruins scouting staff following eighteen years of service.

Bruce Allan Boudreau

January 9:  On this day in 1955, Bruce Boudreau was born in Toronto, Ontario. Boudreau played 134 games for the Leafs between 1976-77 and 1981-82 exclusively as a farmhand or injury replacement. That may explain why he wore a team record six different sweater numbers with the Leafs (#12, 19, 35, 11, 17, 28) in that period of time. As a Leaf, Boudreau contributed 27 goals and 42 assists as well as 2 playoff goals. He was named head coach of the Washington Capitals in 2007.