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Toronto Maple Leafs: Top Five Captains in Team History

By Matthew Rodrigopulle |
Dec 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Maple Leafs logo at center ice before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Maple Leafs logo at center ice before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
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The Toronto Maple Leafs currently are captainless.

And while you can speculate that Auston Matthews or Morgan Rielly or even Mitch Marner might become the new Leafs captain, you have to keep in mind that only certain, special individuals get the honour of captaining of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

So what kind of characteristics did these special players have, and what made them better than the rest? To be captain of the Maple Leafs, a player must be a leader on and off the ice, must help lead his team to successful seasons, and must also be able to handle the pressures that come along with playing in such a hockey crazed city. With that said, here’s my personal list of the top five Leafs captains throughout team history.

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5) Darryl Sittler

Career stats: 1096 GP, 484 G, 637 A, 1121 P

Achievements: Hockey Hall of Fame, inducted in 1989.

Darryl Sittler was captain of the Maple Leafs on two separate occasions. He captained the team from 1975–79, and then again from 1980–82. In his first season as captain, he accumulated 41 goals and 59 assists, being the first Leaf ever to reach the one hundred point mark.

Sittler made a name for himself during his time in Toronto, turning him into one of the most beloved Leafs in team history. Fans and players loved him on and off the ice as well as he was a hard-working individual.

Sittler’s career was quite the highlight reel too. Representing Canada in the Canada Cup tournament in 1976, Sittler scored the series clincher against Czechoslovakia in overtime, which became one of the most famous goals ever in Canadian hockey.

He also holds a few NHL records. He is tied for the NHL record in most goals in a single playoff game with five.

And who can ever forget his most spectacular feat. His 10 point night (six goals and four assists) on February 7, 1976 against the Boston Bruins still stands as the NHL record for most points in a single game.

Inducted in 1989, Sittler is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He has scored 40 goals five times and also finished in the top 10 in voting for the Hart Trophy five times. Darryl Sittler is truly one of a kind.

Jan 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs former player Dave Keon (14) acknowledges the fans during a ceremony honoring his career prior to the start of the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre. The Canadiens beat the Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs former player Dave Keon (14) acknowledges the fans during a ceremony honoring his career prior to the start of the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre. The Canadiens beat the Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Dave Keon

Career stats: 1296 GP, 396 G, 590 A, 986 P

Achievements: Calder Memorial Trophy in 1961, Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1962 and 1963, Stanley Cup champion in 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967, and Hockey Hall of Fame, inducted in 1986.

Recently ranked the #1 Maple Leafs player in history, Dave Keon captained the team from 1969-1975.

From the get go, Keon won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year in 1961. He led the Leafs in scoring in the 1963–64, 1966–67, and 1969–70 seasons, and was also known for his fast skating and defensive play.

With the Leafs, Keon won the Stanley cup in the 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64 and 1966–67 seasons. Additionally, he was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1967 as playoffs MVP.

Inducted in 1986 into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Keon may not have necessarily won the Stanley cup as captain of the Leafs, but his dominance during that time definitely carried into his tenure as captain, solidifying his leadership skills.

3) Ted Kennedy

Career stats: 696 GP, 231 G, 329 A, 560 P

Achievements: Stanley Cup champion in 1944-45, 1946-47. 1947-48, 1948-49, and 1950-51, Hockey Hall of Fame, inducted in 1966.

Ted Kennedy spent his entire 15-year career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he spent eight of those seasons as their captain. He captained the Leafs from 1948-1955, during the dynasty years of the Leafs.

He won five Stanley Cups with the Leafs in 1944-45, 1946-47. 1947-48, 1948-49, and 1950-51. This era for the Leafs was considered the first NHL dynasty, and Kennedy was the main star of the team. He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy for season MVP in 1954-55, making him the last Leafs player to win it.

Off the ice, Kennedy was praised as well, being known as someone who worked harder than anyone else and made up for his faults.

Overall, Kennedy was an amazing captain during the team’s most successful era.

Feb 8, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain George Armstrong drops the puck to Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin (22) and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) as Eddie Shack and Red Kelly ad Dave Keon and Frank Mahovlich and Bob Pulford (left to right) look on during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain George Armstrong drops the puck to Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin (22) and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) as Eddie Shack and Red Kelly ad Dave Keon and Frank Mahovlich and Bob Pulford (left to right) look on during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2) George Armstrong

Career stats: 1187 GP, 296 G, 417 A, 713 P

Achievements: Stanley Cup Champion in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, Hockey Hall of Fame, inducted in 1975.

Back in the Original Six days, the Leafs had a number of captains. But one stands above them all.

George Armstrong is the Leafs’ longest-serving captain, holding the role from 1957 to 1969. As captain, he led the Leafs to four Stanley Cups, which included three consecutive titles from 1962-1964, and the Leafs final Stanley Cup in 1967 also.

He may not have had as dominant of an offensive touch as other Leafs captains, but he easily helped lead a team which dominated in their own right. He was a key piece to the Leafs winning ways in the 60’s and he will always be remembered for that.

But before we see who takes the #1 spot, let’s take a look at a few honourable mentions

Honourable Mentions:

Dec 31, 2016; Toronto, ON, Canada; Detroit Red Wings forward Brendan Shanahan (14) shares a laugh with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Doug Gilmour (93) during the 2017 Rogers NHL Centennial Classic Alumni Game at BMO Field. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Toronto, ON, Canada; Detroit Red Wings forward Brendan Shanahan (14) shares a laugh with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Doug Gilmour (93) during the 2017 Rogers NHL Centennial Classic Alumni Game at BMO Field. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Doug Gilmour

Career stats: 1474 GP, 450 G, 964 A, 1414 P

Achievements: Stanley Cup champion in 1989 (with Calgary), Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1993.

Doug Gilmour captained the Leafs from 1994-97, and during this time he was known as a spectacular player.

In his first season with the Leafs in 1992-93, Gilmour set the Leafs franchise record for most points (127) and assists (95) in a single season. His defensive play was also amazing, as he captured the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward that season too.

Becoming captain of the Leafs after Wendel Clark was traded to Quebec, Gilmour was a fan favourite in Toronto both on and off the ice. Although he never won a cup in Toronto, his time spent as a Leaf was definitely special.

Dec 31, 2016; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Wendel Clark (17) yawns before the start of their game against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2017 Rogers NHL Centennial Classic Alumni Game at BMO Field. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Wendel Clark (17) yawns before the start of their game against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2017 Rogers NHL Centennial Classic Alumni Game at BMO Field. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Wendel Clark

Career stats: 793 GP, 330 G, 234 A, 564 P

Drafted first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1985 (the first and only number one pick by the Leafs until 2016 when Auston Matthews was drafted), Wendel Clark instantly made statements in the league.

After switching from defence to forward, Clark was known as a hard-nosed player with an offensive touch. Fans loved the way he made games much more exciting, turning him into a fan favourite for years to come. He captained the Leafs from 1991-94.

Often injured, Clark was only able to play one full NHL season ever. He never won a Cup with Toronto, but he helped lead them to a memorable Campbell Conference Finals run in 1993 in which they eventually suffered a heartbreaking loss to Wayne Gretzky’s Los Angeles Kings.

Jan 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Statues of former Toronto Maple Leafs players Mats Sundin and Tim Horton and Borje Salming and Darryl Sittler and Ted Kennedy and Syl Apps and Dave Keon and George Armstrong and Johnny Bower and Turk Broda enshrined outside on Legends Row before the game against the Calgary Flames at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Statues of former Toronto Maple Leafs players Mats Sundin and Tim Horton and Borje Salming and Darryl Sittler and Ted Kennedy and Syl Apps and Dave Keon and George Armstrong and Johnny Bower and Turk Broda enshrined outside on Legends Row before the game against the Calgary Flames at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Mats Sundin

Career stats:  1346 GP, 564 G, 785 A, 1349 P

Achievements: Maple Leafs franchise leader in points and goals, Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2008, and Hockey Hall of Fame, inducted in 2012, 

My personal choice for greatest captain of all time is none other than Mats Sundin, who captained the Leafs from 1997-2008. Now Mats Sundin has had a truly amazing career. Unfortunately, one thing he wasn’t able to do that other Leafs captains did accomplish was win the cup. I know that’s the ultimate goal in playing in the NHL, let alone captaining an NHL team, but aside from that fact Sundin did a lot for this city and this team.

Sundin is the Toronto Maple Leafs all time leader in goals and points. That already is a fantastic feat on it’s own. On top of this, he led the team out from dark times and brought them to playoff contention year in and year out during the 2000s. He also put in the work and exemplified what an NHL captain should be like. He was humble, good with the media, and he was always pretty involved with the community. For a lot of people, Sundin was a dominant player that always made the Maple Leafs look good. He may not have won a cup, but he led his team to conference finals appearances in 1999 and 2002 and consistently made sure the Leafs were contenders.

Mats Sundin has arguably made a bigger mark in the Leafs modern era than any other player. His career was packed with many highlights and memories which always kept Toronto fans satisfied. Who can ever forget his 500th goal in overtime to complete a hat trick? He was also a charming player who was always a fan favourite in the city. Mats Sundin was absolutely fantastic on and off the ice, which is why he is my choice for the number one captain in Leafs history.

So there you have it. This was my personal list for the best Leafs captain, and this is all a matter of personal opinion. Let me know in the comments below who you think are the best Leafs captains of all time. Also, feel free to tweet me on Twitter: @Matt_Rodrigo_

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