Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: Top 10 Meaningful Goals of the Decade

By Alex Hobson

OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 12: Playing in his NHL debut, Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his first career NHL hat trick against the Ottawa Senators with teammates at the players"u2019 bench at Canadian Tire Centre during the season opener on October 12, 2016 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 12: Playing in his NHL debut, Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his first career NHL hat trick against the Ottawa Senators with teammates at the players"u2019 bench at Canadian Tire Centre during the season opener on October 12, 2016 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
EDMONTON, AB – OCTOBER 29: Paul Ranger #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game on October, 29, 2013 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – OCTOBER 29: Paul Ranger #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game on October, 29, 2013 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

#7 – Paul Ranger Scores First Goal Since Hiatus – October 30th, 2013

Yes, I know it’s another empty net goal. But like the one before, this one also has meaning.

TSN did a story on one-time Leafs defenseman Paul Ranger, who seemingly disappeared from the game during the 2009-10 season.

It was revealed that Ranger was fighting depression and as a result, lost his love for the game of hockey. His battle with mental illness would wipe nearly three years out of his hockey career.

Ranger would make an eventual return to the pros during the 2012-13 season, signing an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies and taking on the role of an alternate captain.

He would then sign a one year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the offseason, thus marking a return to the NHL almost four years after he left.

Ranger would muscle Jiri Hudler off of the puck and hustle down the boards after the puck before putting it in the back of the net, marking his first NHL goal since October 10th, 2009.

On paper, this goal meant next to nothing to the Leafs, as it was an empty net goal in a regular season game.

But this goal more than likely meant the world to Ranger, seeing the hustle to retrieve the puck and the relief of knowing he was back playing the game he loved.

Home/Editorials