For expectation, anticipation and excitement in hockey (and for
the eternally hopeful Maple Leaf supporters) nothing matches draft day. It seems to represent the epitome of
optimism—as in this will be the year we (finally?) draft the kind of
difference-makers who will shoot us to the top of the class, and we will become
one of the truly elite teams in the National Hockey League.
As I write this little piece, we all await Saturday's NHL entry draft (the Leafs are still picking in the 20s, right?), which was of course the trigger for what I'm reflecting on today. (There are all kinds of excellent Leaf sites out there like Maple Leaf Hot Stove, Hope in the Big Smoke, Blue Chip Prospects and of course Pension Plan Puppets that cover 'prospects' thoroughly and project who the Leafs might have a shot at. By all means check those sites out before the draft this weekend if you're looking for the the latest news on that front...)
As I write this little piece, we all await Saturday's NHL entry draft (the Leafs are still picking in the 20s, right?), which was of course the trigger for what I'm reflecting on today. (There are all kinds of excellent Leaf sites out there like Maple Leaf Hot Stove, Hope in the Big Smoke, Blue Chip Prospects and of course Pension Plan Puppets that cover 'prospects' thoroughly and project who the Leafs might have a shot at. By all means check those sites out before the draft this weekend if you're looking for the the latest news on that front...)
I’ll try to be more succinct than I usually am today: by far, the best Leaf draft day that I
remember happened in 1973. Some background may help: the Leafs under then GM
Jim Gregory had been building a really good team in the early ‘70s, a nice
combination of emerging kids and savvy veterans. We had Jacques Plante and Bernie Parent in
goal, a classic combination of potential and experience.
Unfortunately, owner Harold Ballard didn’t believe the incoming
World Hockey Association would ever amount to anything, so he did not fight to keep
half a dozen really good young players who all jumped to the new league before
the 1972-’73 season. The team, thusly
gutted, had a lousy year.
However, Gregory was able to turn disaster into promise, and
acquired two additional first-round draft choices (one in a deal that sent
Plante to Boston, I believe) to go with the one we already had. I don’t remember for sure all these years
later, but I believe we drafted something like fourth overall, then 10th
and 15th. (In those days, there
were far fewer teams, so that last pick was actually near the end of the first
round…)
In any event, I had been following the junior hockey scene
very closely heading into that off-season, and knew a fair bit about some of
the 20 year olds (that was the draft age back then) available. Lanny McDonald was selected by the Leafs with
their first pick, followed by Bob Neely, the burly defenseman from Peterbrough,
and smooth-skating Ian Turnbull, a defender from the Ottawa 67s (after years
with the Montreal Junior Canadiens.)
I grabbed a copy of the Globe the day after the
draft to read all about it. (It’s not
like there was television or radio coverage if you didn’t live in
Toronto.) I held on to that sports
section for years. There were pictures
and quotes from all the new players, thrilled, they each said, to be chosen by
the blue and white.
I had seen both Turnbull (right, in his playing days with the Leafs) and Neely play as juniors, and
while I had some questions about Neely (I thought he was miscast as a would-be tough
guy; he actually had a lot of skill for a very big man), I thought getting the
sweet-skating Turnbull was an absolute steal.
All three played significant roles with the Leafs throughout
the 1970s, McDonald and Turnbull most prominently. But Neely had his moments, too. I remember some big-time open-ice hits that
he handed out, as well as some booming slapshot goals and skillful rink-long
rushes. The guy had so much talent but
never quite found his footing in Toronto, unfortunately. (Gregory also added
Borje Salming and Inge Hammarstrom as European free-agents that summer, making
for quite a haul of fresh talent for the Leafs.)
Unfortunately, McDonald was traded by returning General
Manager Punch Imlach during the 1979-’80 season. He went on to a Hall-of-Fame career. Turnbull was never quite the sum of his
immense skills, though Leaf fans of that time well remember his splendid
performance in the 1978 playoffs after Salming was seriously injured.
The real purpose of my post today is this, however: what has been your favourite draft as a Leaf
fan? Does one year stand out because of
a particular selection or a player that was a personal favourite (or turned out
to be)? Maybe it was a a big trade or because our scouting staff came up with a number
of picks that became useful contributors?
The draft is a lot of fun, and evokes great memories for
me—but nothing so far compared with 1973.
How about you?
Posts
Favorite Leaf draft day?..Probably 2009.
ReplyDeleteOn June 26, 2009, Brian Burke made his first appearance as the Leafs GM at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and selected Kadri with the 7th pick overall.
There was the excitement of the new GM. There was that great moment with Bryan Murray:
"Is that the kid you want?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzgalcl3tD8
Thought it hasn't been perfect, they didn't ruin the kid. Eakins did manage to groom Kadri into an NHL player.
I have since found the plucky little guy easy to cheer for. There was with the marlies moment during the lockout when I saw Kadri instantly throw a 100 foot pass out of the corner and put it right on the tape. I thought to myself, "I don't think there are 50 guys in the NHL that can pass like that."
We saw one of those beauties to Kessel against Boston for a goal, so he can do it when it counts.
I hope Kadri continues to develop and stays a Leaf. He's just too easy to cheer for.
Unless the Leafs make a trade to move up Saturday, it may not be as exciting this time around, DP, but let's see how things play out- there are some good young players out there in the first round (and beyond).
ReplyDeleteMichael, I have two memorable Leaf draft moments. First, Boston's selection of Tyler Seguin second overall in 2010. Second, when Boston chose Dougie Hamilton ninth overall in 2011.
ReplyDeleteI was probably thinking in terms of something a little "happier", Steve, but hey, those are memories!
DeleteThe draft I remember the most was 1994. I was at our cottage painting the beer fridge on a weekend before the draft in a brilliant Maple Leaf blue. My "soon to be" daughter-in-law had made a Maple Leaf template for me to place on the fridge door to preserve a white Maple Leaf crest when I spray painted the blue colour on the rest of the fridge. As we were beginning to paint, one of my other sons phoned and when he learned what we were doing, he requested we also block out a number 17 for the fridge to honour our favorite Leaf- Wendel Clark. Job was done and the fridge was forever known as the "Wendel Fridge".
ReplyDeleteThe 1994 draft was a few days after the job was completed and that was when Wendel was traded on draft day for Mats Sundin. Ouch!
As good as Mats turned out to be, it sure was an upsetting blow at the time for more reason than just the loss of our favorite player. A memorable draft indeed! (Also a great beer fridge).
I love that story, Ed. A Leaf-themed fridge, beer, and Wendel memories. Thanks for sharing. (Maybe some fellow Leaf fan out there is painting their cottage fridge blue as we speak!)
DeleteSame as you - 1973. I was 14, and it was incredibly exciting to see the Leafs building. - Not Norm Ullman
ReplyDeleteHi Not Norm- that really was an exceptional draft for the Leafs. Each of those guys could play, though Neely was never quite used properly. And throw in Hammarstrom and Salming that summer, too, and it was a summer of riches for Gregory. Thanks for chiming in, Not Norm.
DeleteI certainly remember those days, Michael, when the Leafs had all those young players on the Leafs. I never woke up in the morning without first thinking, "how many days to the next Leaf game?" Also listening on the radio for the away games that weren't televised. "Lanny shoots...he scores".
ReplyDeleteI'm going to give you a different draft memory. I was about 10 years and the year was about 1970. They drafted Daryl Sittler from the London Nationals (Knights), I believe.
He didn't wear a helmet then and I'll always remember this tall, skinny centre with long flowing hair skating around like a waterbug. I knew he was bound for greatness for my Leafs.
In 1976, my prediction was realized when he scored 10 points (6 goals,4 assist) against my nemisis team, the Boston Bruins. It felt so good to finally rout those Big Bad Bruins.
But I did have a little sympathy during that game for the Bruin's rookie goalie, Dave Reese. I don't think he was ever pulled during the game and I wondered how he'd ever live this record performance(by my hero) down.
The Sittler selection was fantastic, for sure, drgreg. I, too, fondly recall his early days with the Leafs. An injury impacted his first season, and he played more wing than center as I recall (the Leafs had Keon, Ullman and Harrison ahead of him), but he was a gutsy, hard-driving kid. He just kept getting better and better every season. A great Leaf.
DeleteWe had the same affliction as kids: I also spent a lot of time "planning" around the next Leaf game. Listening to games on the radio was special, indeed. Thanks for visiting, drgreg.