The Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Defensemen of All-Time
By Mike Jack
#3. King Clancy – Toronto Maple Leafs 1930-1937
Francis Michael Clancy played eight NHL seasons with the Ottawa Senators winning two Stanley Cups before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs where he played for seven seasons.
Clancy was Toronto’s star defenseman when they won their first Stanley Cup as the Maple Leafs in 1932. His best NHL seasons were the 1930-31 and 1933-34 seasons. He was selected to the 1st NHL All-Star Team and was third in Hart Trophy voting as NHL MVP both seasons.
The selecting of NHL All-Star teams began in 1931, so King Clancy was on the first 1st All-Star team! He was also selected to the second NHL All-Star Team twice bringing his NHL All-Star selections to four in total. It could’ve been more if NHL All-Star Teams were a think during his eight seasons in Ottawa.
King Clancy was so awesome, he even got a trophy named after him! The King Clancy Memorial Trophy was introduced in 1988 and is “awarded annually to the NHL player who demonstrates leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made exceptional humanitarian contributions in the community.” The only player to win the trophy as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs was Curtis Joseph in 2000.
Clancy holds the record for longest affiliation with professional hockey after being involved with the sport for 65 years. After his playing days, he coached and became an NHL referee. Eventually he became coach of Toronto’s AHL affiliate, then was head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs before becoming their assistant general manger and then vice-president.
King Clancy was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame is 1958. His #7 was honoured and raised to the rafter by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1995 and officially retired in 2016.
Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Number Retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #18
1st NHL All-Star Team 1931, 1934
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1932, 1933
Hart Trophy Nominee (3rd in voting) 1931
Hart Trophy Nominee (3rd in voting) 1934
Stanley Cup Champion 1932
#52 on The Hockey News’ list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Top 10 in NHL Assists 1929-30
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defenseman for six seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defenseman for six seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defenseman for six seasons