The Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Defensemen of All-Time

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TORONTO, ONTARIO – NOVEMBER 12: Referee Wes McCauley #4 works the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Arena on November 12, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

#8. Red Horner – Toronto Maple Leafs 1928-1940

George Reginald Horner played his entire hockey career in Toronto playing 12 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs after playing with the Toronto Marlboros in the OHA-Jr and OHA-Sr (now the OHL). He was the Toronto Maple Leafs captain during his final NHL seasons in 1938-39 and 1939-40.

Red Horner’s induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1965 may be one of the most controversial inductions in hockey history as Horner was primarily known as an enforcer and regarded as only the third best defensemen on his team during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Horner holds an NHL record for the leading the league in penalty minutes for a sensational seven seasons. To put that into perspective, the next highest penalty minute season leaders (Dave Schultz and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, Gus Morston) only led for four seasons. Even legendary enforcers Bob Probert and Tie Domi only led the league for one season each.

Perhaps Horner’s most famous altercation occurred on when Eddie Shore of the Boston Bruins hit Leafs Legend Ace Bailey from behind causing his skull to fracture when his head hit the ice. The incident ended Bailey’s career and almost ended his life; he convulsed on the ice and was in a coma for 10 days. Red Horner knocked Shore out cold with a single punch after the hit.

Though it may be true that Red Horner was only the third best defenseman on his team, he was still one of the best defensemen of his era. The two Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen that were held in higher regard than Horner are #3 and #5 on this list which speaks to the quality of the Leafs defense core in the 1930’s.

Red Horner was a fierce and feared defender but was still an offensive contributor. He led all defenseman in assists and points during the 1937-38 season and was a top 10 point producing defenseman during 10 of his 12 NHL seasons.

Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #27
Toronto Maple Leafs Captain 1938-1940
Stanley Cup Champion 1932
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Record for Leading NHL in Penalty Minutes seven times
Led NHL Defensemen in Assists 1937-1938
Led NHL Defensemen in Points 1937-1938
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defenseman for five seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defenseman for 11 seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defenseman for 10 seasons

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