Top 3 Toronto Maple Leafs World Junior Performances Of All Time
By Gordon Munro
Top 3 Toronto Maple Leafs World Junior Performances Of All Time
2. Vladimir Ruzicka
The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted the 6-foot-3 center Vladimir Ruzicka with the 73rd overall pick in 1982.
Just a few months later, he would lead the entire 1983 World Junior Championship tournament in points, helping Czechoslovakia to a silver medal. In seven games, “Rosie” scored 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points. On top of capturing a silver medal, he was named to the tournament all-star team.
Despite never playing a game for the Buds, Ruzicka is the highest scoring player in WJHC history who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Unfortunately, Ruzicka was stuck behind the iron curtain and was not able to play in the NHL until 1989. This caused him to sign as a free agent long after his rights expired from the Maple Leafs.
He would go on to play 233 games between the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, and Ottawa Senators, racking up 167 points.
Considering he was only able to come to the NHL starting at 26, it’s hard not to wonder what could have been. It is especially true with Ruzicka’s tough injury luck when he did eventually come over to the NHL.
Regardless, he currently ranks seventh in all-time points in the former Czechoslovakia league and with a whole cabinet full of awards and honours, he is undoubtedly one of the best Czech players of his era and arguably of all-time.