By HOWARD BERGER
LOS ANGELES (Aug. 14) — The death, earlier today, of 83-year-old Ted Kennedy dwindled one of hockey’s most exclusive memberships to eight. That’s the number of men, still alive, that have captained the Toronto Maple Leafs since 1927, and it represents exactly half the number of captains in the history of the franchise. The first eight have now passed away, leaving George Armstrong, 79, as the oldest surviving person to have worn the ‘C’.
Kennedy was a central figure during the greatest decade in club annals. Between 1941-42 and 1950-51, the Leafs won the Stanley Cup six times, and the man known as “Teeder” had the ‘C’ on his blue-and-white jersey during the booming post-war years of 1948-55.
Former Toronto Star hockey writer Frank Orr appropriately began a tribute to Kennedy by reflecting on the now-mythical cheer that echoed through the seats during the great former captain’s reign. Orr, a fellow hall of famer, wrote:
“‘Come on, Teeder!’
”Next to Foster Hewitt’s ‘Hello Canada’ to open his radio broadcasts of Maple Leafs games, those were the most famous words heard at Maple Leaf Gardens in the glory years after World War II.
“The man who shouted the encouragement from the green seats in quiet times during Leafs games was John Arnott, a Toronto garbage operator, and the man for whom he was cheering was perhaps the quintessential Maple Leaf.”
A superb passing centre-man, Kennedy anchored much of the Leafs attack for 12 seasons and is the last member of the Blue & White to have won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player — way back in 1955. He becomes the first Leafs captain to pass away since Red Horner died on Apr. 27, 2005. Other former members of the fraternity are…
CHARLIE CONACHER [d. Dec. 30, 1967]
HAP DAY [d. Feb. 17, 1990]
JIMMY THOMPSON [d. May 18, 1991]
BOB DAVIDSON [d. Sep. 26, 1996]
SYL APPS [d. Dec. 24, 1998]
SID SMITH [d. Apr. 29, 2004]
Ages of the surviving Leafs captains are as follows:
GEORGE ARMSTRONG, 79 [1958-69]
DAVE KEON, 69 [1969-75]
DARRYL SITTLER, 59 [1975-81]
RICK VAIVE, 50 [1981-86]
ROB RAMAGE, 50 [1989-91]
WEDNEL CLARK, 42 [1991-94]
DOUG GILMOUR, 46 [1994-97]
MATS SUNDIN, 38 [1997-2008]
In my tenure at THE FAN-590, I was privileged to interview Teeder Kennedy on a number of occasions; until his final years, he had the memory of an elephant and was able to pin-point dates and locations of famous Leaf moments that involved him. The last time I saw Kennedy was back in September, 2005, when all of the surviving Leafs captains gathered in the Liberty Grand building at the Canadian National Exhibition. They were on hand to promote “Captain’s Row” — a portrait of the nine living men that had worn the ‘C’ in Toronto.
And, my memory of that occasion is rather sad. Though it was enchanting to be in the same room as these legendary figures — even the reclusive Keon took part — I can still envision Kennedy, sitting alone, slumped forward in a sofa-chair near the conclusion of the event. He had a worrisome look on his face and I went over to him, knelt down on one knee, and said, “Mr. Kennedy, is everything okay?”
When he glanced up, he had tears in his eyes. As long as I live, I’ll never forget how this legendary Leafs’ hero cradled my hand and softly replied, “No, I’m going through a terrible time right now because my wife is close to death.” [Mrs. Kennedy, as it turned out, recovered and survived her husband’s passing]. Noticing the scene, Wendel Clark came over and bent down next to me. The two of us did our best to comfort the former captain in his time of sorrow.
Today is a time of reflection for all of us that have watched the Maple Leafs through the years.
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your colleague, Faraday, has a tag line under the “Princess” photo, stating that she’s congratualing “Teeder” on the Stanley Cup win — very wrong! The photo is a great story — you should tell it. mt
- michael traversI believe he was also the youngest to wear the ‘C’ at 22 years of age. Rest in Peace.
- FireRonWilsonWhat a class act.He sets the bar for the qualities of all Leaf captains. Perhaps the Leafs should wear # 9 on their uniforms as a tribute to a quintessential Leaf. Rest in peacr Teeder.
- JimHoward, may I note another gentleman who was on that Leafs team with Ted Kennedy? Babe Pratt - a defenseman of some note - played for parts of four seasons with Toronto. He was traded to the Leafs - by the Rangers (who rarely did anything right) - during the 1942-43 season, and then (during the 1943-44 season) put up numbers even Bobby Orr would not sniff at. In 50 games - then the length of a full season - Babe scored 17 goals and added 40 assists for 57 points. That would be the equivalent of 93 points these days. Pratt - with his 57 points - held the record for points in a season by a defenseman until Pierre Pilote picked up 59 points in 68 games in 1964-65. Had the James Norris Trophy been awarded in those days - when Pratt was playing - he would still today have the distinction of being the only Leafs defenseman to have his name on that trophy.
Babe Pratt wasn’t nearly as productive in 1944-45 - picking up only 18 goals and 23 assists - but he was able to have his name added to the Stanley Cup, for the second time. He had also won it with New York in 1939-40.
- Joseph DurocherTeeder was one of the greats…Rest in Peace Teeder and thank you
- BKHThat’s Jim THOMSON !
- Timberlea Tom