Toronto Maple Leafs: Reader’s All-Time Favourite Players

Five days ago I asked you, the readers, who your favourite Toronto Maple Leafs player is.

Over the last five days, I have been reading your comments and quite a bit of you had the same favourite Toronto Maple Leafs player. While the consensus is that most of you are very fond of Wendel Clark, I think the second place favourite is Doug Gilmour.

And with that, here is what you guys had to say about your favourite player.

Wendel Clark

“I still remember how proud I was to be a leaf fan when Clark came to the aid of his fallen center(Gilmore) and drilled mcsorley in the face during the leafs/LA series.

I’ve been a leafs fan since the early 60s, seen a lot of players represent the city and enjoyed watching many players. I was always a big fan of players that could score a lot, but also displayed character and grit when needed. Looking at his career, you might say Clark had maybe only 3 really decent seasons.

But he played hard, and in retrospect, it more than likely kept him from having a more productive career. He might not have been the biggest guy, but he played big. Also, he really presented as someone who loved Toronto – and I love Toronto. For these reasons, my choice is Wendel Clark.” – Robert

“For me, that player is and always will be WENDEL CLARK!
When I was growing up, I was an Oiler fan due to them winning, but my Dad a huge Leaf fan ever since he came to Canada in 1966, told me to support my home town team.

The year 1985, in the summer the Leafs drafted Wendel Clark 1st overall. Ever since then I was a fan of his and the Leafs. Wendel did it all(too much). He scored, hit, fought. He played much bigger then he was and he never backed down. Because of this he was hurt alot.

But, when he was in the lineup, no one on the Leafs was better. The year he got traded, he scored 46 goals in 64 games! Almost 59 goals in a full healthy season. When he was traded it was as if my heart exploded. My here was going to Quebec. I didn’t realize that the Leafs got the best player in the trade, but at the time I was hurt.

I followed Wendel in his short stay in Quebec, then his trade to Long Island. I was super happy when he returned from those Islanders(bad trade, had 4th pick). He then left again to Tampa as a free again and scored 28 goals and was traded to the Wings.

Seeing him in the hated red and white was worse then seeing Dougie Gilmour play for the Habs(almost). Wendel played in Chicago for a spell after that and returned one final time to where it all began. I cried tears when his jersey was hung up to the rafters. He played like a true warrior, all heart, grit and took care of his teammates. In my mind the best Maple Leaf !
Thank you” – Attila C

Most fans loved Clark’s all around game. He was able to play an offensive game while playing with some tenacity that is not really around in today’s NHL.

Doug Gilmour

“I have 2 favourites: Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour. I’ve been following the Leafs since 1961 and while I liked Dave Keon, Tim Horton, Bob Baun and George Armstrong, Clarke and Gilmour were my favourites to watch.

Fiercely determined, great goal scorers and never afraid to back down from anyone, they are my best all-time Leafs to follow. With no offence to Charlie Conacher, King Clancy and George Hainsworth who I never saw play, this 66 year old votes for Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour.” – Eric Shapiro

“It is difficult to compare players from different eras even when only trying to decide on a favorite!

I have been watching the Leafs since 1957 and I have 2 favorite Leaf players and they were both Leafs at the same time and played together.
I am of course talking about Wendel Clarke and Doug Gilmour.

Their combination of skill, drive, desire, grit and tenacity is what set them apart for me.  Both were willing to sacrifice anything to win.
By far my favorite Leaf defenseman was Borje Salming and I would place him 3rd on my list of all time Leafs.
That said, we have some young players on the Leafs like MNM that might become future favorites.” – Hugh Allan

“Even though his tenure was short lived as a leaf fan he reignited my love for the leafs…Dougie Gilmore. I remember in 93 my oldman got part of a package of season tickets and my brother and I went to several games at the old gardens.

I was heckling Dougie one game(we were getting smoked my the Stars) and his mother who was few rows in front of us in the reds turned around and gave it too me. We did not have a stacked team but Gilmore out-played detroit’s Fedorov and Yzerman only too be stopped cold by the Great one.

Anyways, small in stature and unlimited heart Dougie is my Favorite leaf. Marner reminds me a lot of him, including his skating style and fearlessness. Good times.” – AwesomeAuston

Dougie’s heart for the Leafs has so far been unmatched by any other player. He put his heart on his sleeve every game and gave everything he could to the blue & white.

Others

“I’m from an older generation so I tend to look at players like Dave Keon, Paul Henderson, Salming, Bobby Baun etc… the more I think the longer the list gets.

We have a lot of great players over the years we just haven’t had 3 or 4 at the same time but this year it’s different. This is the most promising group of players we’ve had since the 50’s & 60’s. The next 5 years is going to be exciting!”- mdp6725

“For me it would be a combination of Eddie Shack, Salming, Clark, Gilmore, Tucker, Curtis Joseph and although tainted Sundin. These are just some of the players that I started to like since I started watching the Leafs in the 60’s.

These are in no order and anyone who has watched the leafs longer or studied will have their own list. Trying to say I have one favorite player would be hard their are so many to choose from but I hope that the present Leafs team will give me some more favorites. GO Leafs Go.” – Dan Shields

“JVR, Gilmore, Sundin and Clark have all given us great memories, but it’s time for Mathews and Marner to do the same and in 5 years from now we will hear their names in this poll, because they brought the cup back home!!!”- John Royer

You all had amazing stories behind why you have a favourite player. While some of you gave a specific player, others have a list of guys that they are very fond of.

Over the last 101 years of Leafs hockey, we have seen many players wear the blue & white but only some really stick out in our minds. I think 25 years from now, at least seven current Leafs will be a part of these lists. It is a fun time to be a Leafs fan.