Leafs' Star of the '70s

The Toronto Maple Leafs had some of their toughest years in the 1970s, as the franchise transitioned from a decade featuring championships to the doldrums of the Harold Ballard ownership era. Through it all, there was one player truly beloved in Toronto -- the first player drafted by the Leafs in the decade. Ontario's own Darryl Sittler was Toronto's true superstar of the 1970s, and he inspired a generation of young players to follow his example of on-ice play and off-ice class. Talk to NHL stars who grew up in the Toronto area during the 1970s, and they will almost universally tell you that the Leafs captain was their childhood hero. His performance throughout the decade made Maple Leafs fans proud even as their team slid away from its NHL elite status.

Career Vitals

Career NHL Statistics

Teams: Toronto, Philadelphia, Detroit
Years: 1970-1985. Playoffs: 1971-1985

NHL Awards and Honors

Team Awards and Honors

Milestones

League/Team Records

Transaction History

May 18, 1973 -- WHA rights traded by Alberta to Toronto in exchange for Ron Climie and 1973 third-round pick (Lanny McDonald). Jan. 20, 1982 -- Traded by Toronto to Philadelphia in exchange for Rich Costello, Hartford's 1982 second-round pick (Peter Ihnacak) and future considerations (Ken Strong in March 1982). Oct. 10, 1984 -- Traded by Philadelphia to Detroit in exchange for Murray Craven and Joe Paterson. May 29, 1985 -- Contract bought out and released by Detroit.

Sittler-Ballard Feud No. 1

Sittler's final years in Toronto came against the backdrop of a very tenuous relationship with Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard, one of the more controversial owners in the history of pro sports. Ballard's outspoken style, deep involvement in hockey operations, and tendency to limit spending to the detriment of the team rubbed many of his players the wrong way. As the team's superstar, Sittler had the leverage to stand up to Ballard, and beginning with the 1979-80 season, he chose to do that. Prior to that season, the two had an amicable relationship, as Ballard was proud of Sittler's status in the community and excellence on the ice and considered him a model Maple Leafs player. Sittler had even helped convince Ballard to change his mind about firing head coach Roger Neilson during the 1978-79 season. That relationship changed in 1979, beginning with Punch Imlach's return to Toronto as general manager. Imlach's first stint in Toronto predated Sittler, but he and Ballard had a longstanding relationship reaching back to the 1960s, when the Leafs were a championship team. Imlach and Sittler immediately got into a dispute when Imlach said he did not want Sittler and goaltender Mike Palmateer to take part in the Hockey Night in Canada Showdown series taping because it would interfere with preparations for training camp. Ballard took Imlach's side in the matter, but Sittler and Palmateer, who stood to earn money on Showdown, went ahead and participated against Imlach's wishes. Early in the season, Imlach told reporters that he thought Sittler "may have lost a step or two" in his game because of the knee injury he suffered in December 1978. Imlach then started to float rumors of possible trades involving Leafs stars Palmateer, Ian Turnbull, and future Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald, Sittler's close friend and linemate. On Dec. 29, Imlach delivered on his threats, and McDonald was traded to Colorado, prompting an emotional response from Sittler. Sittler took scissors and cut the "C" off of his sweater right before that night's home game vs. Winnipeg -- saying he would no longer be team captain. Ballard was furious, calling Sittler's behavior "treason". Sittler would later say the McDonald trade was the final straw in a process that led him to resign as captain. Imlach and Ballard doubled down after the McDonald trade, shaking up the team even more. However, most of the traded players were clients of agent Alan Eagleson, who also represented Sittler. Imlach and Eagleson did not get along, and it appeared that Imlach might be getting set to trade Sittler as a final insult to the agent. Ballard, meanwhile, told reporters that Sittler was "taking bad advice" from Eagleson. In protest of Ballard's management of the team, the Leafs players decided to push back by pulling out of a charity exhibition game shortly before Ballard was set to announce it. Playing in the charity game would have forced them to perform five times in six nights. Sittler wanted to play in the charity game, but as captain, he had to deliver the news of the players' decision. Sittler offered Ballard a last-minute compromise devised by Eagleson. The Leafs agreed to go ahead and play the charity game only if Ballard would let them use Maple Leaf Gardens to play another exhibition vs. the Soviet Union that would benefit the NHLPA. Ballard was irate, because of his anti-Communist sentiments and vow that he would never let Soviets play in his building. He agreed to the deal, however, and then canceled both games because his hatred of the Soviets was greater than his love for the Ronald McDonald House. When the 1979 trade deadline came around on March 11, it appeared Sittler would be traded, but the Leafs didn't move him because he had a no-trade clause and refused to waive it. Over the summer of 1980, Ballard began speaking ill of Sittler in public. Before training camp opened, he was quoted in the press saying "Darryl Sittler is a cancer on the Maple Leafs and I'll pay him to stay away from training camp." But on Sept. 4, 1980, everything took a bizarre turn for the better when Sittler and Ballard held a joint press conference at Maple Leaf Gardens to let the media and fans know that they had worked out their differences and were again on good terms. Ballard said he would consider reinstating Sittler as captain. All of this took place while Imlach was in a hospital recuperating from a heart attack, because Imlach had previously promised Sittler a chance to meet with Ballard one-on-one and Imlach was in no condition to influence the meeting either way. Part of the deal that brought Sittler and Ballard back together was Sittler's agreement, at Ballard's request, to fire Eagleson as his agent. Sittler said he would represent himself going forward. Sittler, who had four years left on his contract with the Leafs, also said he regretted the way in which he had handled his resignation as captain. He finally got the "C" back three weeks after the reconciliation with Ballard.

Sittler-Ballard Feud No. 2

The peace between Sittler and Harold Ballard did not last long. After the September 1980 reconciliation, Toronto went on to have a disastrous 1980-81 season and missed the playoffs. Shakeups continued under Imlach, and many young prospects were rushed into the NHL before they were ready to be there. Sittler was concerned that the team of the late 1970s had been gutted and the Leafs were no longer striving to be competitive. He reported to training camp and played in the 1981-82 season's first 38 games. Imlach, who had been pushing Ballard hard to trade Sittler, was removed as general manager due to chronic health problems in early November 1981, which ended the friction between him and Sittler. Sittler was already upset with Ballard over disparaging remarks Ballard made to the press about Leafs forward Laurie Boschman. Sittler stuck up for Boschman, which Ballard did not appreciate. Even though he was playing, Sittler was fed up with the situation by December. He went to Ballard and asked to be traded. Ballard agreed to do it, and Sittler agreed to waive his no-trade clause for either Minnesota or Philadelphia. In mid-December, following back-to-back Leafs losses to Washington and Montreal, Sittler's attorney (not agent) Alan Eagleson told Hockey Night in Canada that Sittler had agreed to play for either Minnesota or Philadelphia and had likely played his last game as a Maple Leaf. Sittler refused to verify Eagleson's remarks, saying he would speak to reporters at "the proper time and place." Ballard said Sittler had been demanding a raise rather than a trade, and his desire to improve his $180,000 contract was at the heart of the trade talk. Knowing the team was working on a trade, Sittler continued to play for them, although he told reporters that he was hoping the trade would happen soon. Ballard refused to budge until he could get what he thought was a fair deal.  By January, the situation was a mess, as the Leafs were 11-18-9 and out of the playoff picture. A month had passed with no action since the trade demand, even though the Islanders had also entered the trade talks. Still, Ballard would not deal. Finally, on Jan. 5, 1982, Sittler left the team, saying his doctor said he was under too much stress and needed to stay away from the team for 10 days. While Sittler stayed home, Eagleson said that he would also accept trades to the Islanders or Buffalo. Eagleson also said the Leafs could make a three-way trade if he were allowed to help facilitate discussions. Ballard and interim Leafs general manager Gerry McNamara insisted they would not make a trade unless they got equal value in return. After 10 days, Sittler had decided to stay home. He would wait until he was traded, or he would not play again. The stalemate came to an end Jan. 20, when Toronto traded Sittler to Philadelphia. Sittler made his Flyers debut on Jan. 21, at the Spectrum vs. Montreal. The Flyers also tore up Sittler's Toronto contract and gave him a four-year, $1M deal to start fresh.

Life Outside the NHL

Full Name: Darryl Glen Sittler

Career Beyond Hockey: Moved to Buffalo area and worked in public relations business after retirement until joining Toronto Maple Leafs front office in the summer of 1991. He was able to mend fences with the Leafs organization following the 1990 death of former team owner Harold Ballard.
• Sittler's profile on LinkedIn

Family: Older brother of former minor-leaguer Gary Sittler. ... Father of former minor-leaguer Ryan Sittler.

Career Highlights

Scored his first NHL hat trick on Feb. 19, 1972, vs. Buffalo. ... Set Toronto single-season record (broken by self) with 331 shots on goal in 1972-73. ... Finished third in voting for 1973-74 NHL All Star Team at the center position behind Phil Esposito and Bobby Clarke. ... Became the first player in Toronto Maple Leafs history to score 100 points in a season when he registered his 100th point of the 1975-76 season with an assist on a goal by Errol Thompson at 17:07 of the second period in Toronto's April 3, 1976, game vs. Boston. ... Set Toronto single-season records (broken by self) for points (100) and assists (59) in 1975-76. ... Became only the third NHL player -- and the first in 32 years -- to score five in a postseason game when he did it in Game 5 of quarterfinals vs. Philadelphia on April 22, 1976. He also tied the NHL record (since broken) for points in one playoff game with six... Gave Canada its 1976 Canada Cup victory with a goal at 11:33 of overtime to beat Czechoslovakia on Sept. 15, 1976, at Montreal. ... Named to 1976 Canada Cup All-Star Team. ... Set Toronto records (since broken) for points (21) and assists (16) in one playoff year during 1977 playoff run to Stanley Cup semifinals. ... Tied for second in NHL with 72 assists in 1977-78. ... Finished third in NHLwith 117 points in 1977-78. ... Set Toronto single-season records (since broken) for points (117), and assists (72) in 1977-78. ... Became first Toronto Maple Leafs player to score 30 goals in five consecutive years during the 1977-78 season. ... Helped Toronto set team record (since tied) for most 40-goal scorers in one season as one of two 40-goal scorers in 1977-78. ... Scored goals at 4:04 and 4:16 of the first period of Toronto's April 12, 1979, playoff game vs. Atlanta. Another goal by Ron Ellis at 4:27 made it the fastest three goals in NHL playoff history at 0:23 -- a record that still stands. The 11-second gap between Sittler's second goal and Ellis' goal is also a Toronto record for the fastest two goals that still stands. ... Became first Toronto player to score a 3-on-5 shorthanded goal in Maple Leafs' March 19, 1980, game vs. Winnipeg. ... Set Toronto record, passing Charlie Conacher, with his 15th career hat trick for Maple Leafs on Oct. 26, 1980, at Vancouver. ... Scored four goals in Toronto's Jan. 24, 1981, game vs. Hartford. .... Broke Dave Keon's former Toronto record of 493 career assists with a hat trick in Toronto's March 7, 1981, game vs. Calgary. ... Broke Dave Keon's former Toronto record of 858 career points with two assists in Toronto's March 8, 1981, game at Washington. ... Broke Dave Keon's former Toronto record of 365 career goals with a hat trick in Toronto's March 14, 1981, game vs. vs. Washington. ... Helped Toronto set its team records (since tied) for most 20-goal scorers, 30-goal scorers, and 40-goal scorers in one season as one of seven 20-goal scorers, one of four 30-goal scorers, and one of two 40-goal scorers in 1980-81. ... Left Toronto in 1982 with team career records (all since broken by Mats Sundin) for goals (389), assists (527), points (916), power-play goals (120), 30-goal seasons (8), playoff assists (40). ... Scored his 400th NHL goal with 22 seconds left in third period to give Philadelphia a 4-4 tie with Chicago on March 18, 1982. ... Became 17th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points on Jan. 20, 1983. The goal that gave him point No.1,000 also gave him 10 consecutive 30-goal seasons. ... Named one of Canada's top three players at 1982 World Championships. ... When the Maple Leafs left Maple Leaf Gardens in 1999, Sittler held records for most career goals (235) and points (524) by an NHL player in that building. ... Named one of the top 25 players in Toronto Maple Leafs history in September 2001.

Sittler's Game for the Ages

Sittler rocked the hockey world on the night of Saturday, Feb. 7, 1976, when he scored an NHL record 10 points in Toronto's 11-4 win over a Boston team coached by Don Cherry at Maple Leaf Gardens. Not even Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux ever scored more than eight points in a game, and Sittler's record remains two points better than the eight-points achieved by numerous players, including Gretzky and Lemieux. Prior to 1976, however, only one player, Maurice "Rocket Richard" had ever scored eight points in a game -- a record that stood for more than 31 years before Sittler shattered it. A crowd of 16,485 fans saw Sittler set the points mark and tie the modern-day record for goals in one game with six as well as the NHL record (since broken) for points in a period with five (three goals, two assists) in the second period. The victim of the onslaught was Boston backup goalie Dave Reece, who allowed all 11 goals. Sittler began making history just 6:19 into the first period, when he got the lone assist on a goal by Lanny McDonald for a 1-0 lead. He then picked up a primary assist on an Ian Turnbull goal 42 seconds later. Sittler did not score the first of his six goals until the second period, as he would record a hat trick in each of the last two periods. He made it 3-1 at 2:56 of the second and had the lone assist on Borje Salming's goal at 3:33 to put the Leafs up 4-1. The rampage continued with an unassisted goal at 8:10 of the second for a 5-2 lead and a power-play goal at 10:27 to make it 6-2 and complete the second-period natural hat trick. Halfway through the game, Sittler had six points. At 11:40 of the second, Toronto went up 7-3 on their only goal that didn't involve Sittler -- a George Ferguson tally from Inge Hammarstrom and Scott Garland. Sittler then assisted on a Salming goal to make it 8-3 at 13:57. The final period was all Sittler, as he scored another natural hat trick. The first came on a power play at 0:44 of the third for a 9-4 lead. The second, which broke Richard's record, came at 9:27 of the third, and the final goal at 16:35. ... Ironically, Boston, missing an injured Bobby Orr, had won seven straight games coming into the rout at Maple Leaf Gardens. Sittler's mark was one of many records set in the historic game, which also featured Boston captain John Bucyk's passing Alex Delvecchio as the No. 2 scorer in NHL history, and Jean Ratelle scoring his 350th career goal for the Bruins.
 

Honored Sweater Number

On Feb. 8, 2003, the Toronto Maple Leafs made Sittler the 10th player to have his number officially "honoured" by the organization in a ceremony prior to a game vs. Montreal. As a policy, the Leafs do not officially retire numbers unless special (i.e. tragic) circumstances are involved. The only two players to have numbers "retired" by the team were Bill Barilko (No. 5) and Ace Bailey (No. 6). Both of these players' NHL careers had ended under tragic circumstances (Bailey suffered a head injury in 1933, while Barilko died in a 1951 plane crash). Honored numbers can be worn by current players with a commemorative patch on the uniform. Toronto had originally planned to honor the No. 27 during a 2001-02 season opening-night ceremony for Frank Mahovlich and Sittler, who was 12 years into his job with the Leafs as a community ambassador. However, Sittler's wife, Wendy, was dying of cancer, and the Sittlers were unable to participate. On Oct. 3, 2001, the number was honored for Mahovlich alone. Wendy Sittler passed away three days later. The following season, the organization staged a Sittler-only ceremony. An emotional Sittler, 16 months removed from the tragic loss of his wife, saw his No. 27 raised to the Air Canada Centre rafters. Toronto players capped off the big night by beating the Canadiens 3-1. Eleven years later, on Sept. 6, 2014, the team unveiled a Sittler statue as part of its Legends Row project in front of the Air Canada Centre.
 

Sittler's Cause

Following his retirement and after joining the Toronto front office, Sittler was active in helping raise money for numerous organizations. This community activity dated back to his playing days. He even had a memorable moment with Canadian runner Terry Fox, the national hero who ran halfway across the country on his artificial leg to raise money for cancer research. During Fox's Marathon of Hope, Sittler presented Fox with a Maple Leafs jersey at a July 1980 event in Toronto. One charitable group, however, stood out, because its mission is to conquer the specific disease that in 2001 claimed the life of his wife, Wendy Sittler, to whom he had been married for three decades. Darryl Sittler has worked on behalf of Colon Cancer Canada in raising countless funds to help find a cure for colorectal cancer -- work he continues today. Sittler and Colon Cancer Canada have created the Wendy Bear in memory of Wendy Sittler. Sales of the bear help provide funds for people living with the disease.

• VISIT SITTLER'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE
• DONATE TO COLON CANCER CANADA

International Tournaments

Significant Injuries

Missed part of 1970-71 season with broken, wrist, suffered when he was cross-checked by Gilles Marotte (no penalty called) late in the third period of Toronto's Jan. 16, 1971, game vs. Los Angeles. He did not return until Toronto's March 24, 1971, game at California, where he scored a first-period goal. ... Missed part of 1974-75 season with bruised left shoulder, suffered during Toronto's Dec. 4, 1974, game at Pittsburgh. He did not return until Toronto's Dec. 21, 1974, game vs. Boston. ... Missed part of 1976-77 season woth torn cartilage in ribs, suffered when he fell on top of Marcel Dionne's stick as the Kings' Neil Komadoski was falling on top of him during Toronto's Jan. 18, 1977, game at Los Angeles. He did not return until Toronto's Feb. 9, 1977, game vs. Atlanta -- a game in which he scored two goals. ... Missed part of 1978-79 season with ligament damage in left knee, an injury suffered when he was checked by Gerry Hart during Torontos' Dec. 26, 1978, game vs. N.Y. Islanders. He did not return until Toronto's Jan. 24, 1979, game at Minnesota. ... Missed part of 1979-80 season with torn ligaments in ankle, suffered during Toronto's Nov. 24, 1979, game vs. Chicago. He did not return until Toronto's Dec. 15, 1979, game vs. Atlanta. ... Missed part of 1984-85 season with broken cheekbone, an injury suffered when he was checked by Jim Korn during Detroit's Oct. 24, 1984, game at Toronto. The injury required surgery, and he did not return until Detroit's Nov. 13, 1984, game at Calgary.

Non-Playing Career

Miscellaneous:

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