gold star for USAHOF

7. King Clancy

7. King Clancy

In the 1920s, while he was playing for the Ottawa Senators, Francis Michael "King" Clancy was one of the top Defenseman in professional hockey. While he likely lost most of the fights he was in, the 150-pounder was afraid of nobody.  Clancy led the Sens to two Stanley Cups, but Ottawa made a colossal error, as they traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs before the 1930/31 Season.

The transaction became known in circles as the "best deal in hockey," and Clancy’s already stellar game had a bigger platform.  Clancy led Toronto to a Stanley Cup win in 1932, and he would be named a post-season All-Star four times as a Maple Leaf.  Clancy brought leadership and identity to Toronto, and he would also be known for his charitable work off the ice.

Clancy retired in 1936, and he would forever be associated with Toronto, later serving as their Coach, then General Manager, and multiple capacities in between.  The NHL would later name an annual award given to the NHL player who demonstrates leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made exceptional humanitarian contributions in the community.

Clancy was chosen for the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.  In 1995, his name was part of the group that had their name honored at the Air Canada Center, and in 2016, his number 7 (also with Tim Horton) was retired by the team.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Defence
  • Acquired: Traded from the Ottawa Senators for Art Smith, Eric Pettinger, and $35,000 10/11/30.
  • Departed:

    Retired 11/24/36.

  • Games Played: 286
  • Notable Statistics:

    52 Goals
    78 Assists 
    130 Points 
    381 PIM 
    0.45 PPG 
    N/A Plus/Minus*
    39.7 Point Shares 

    37 Playoff Games
    6 Goals
    6 Assists 
    12 Points 
    56 PIM 
    0.32 PPG 
    N/A Plus/Minus*

    *Plus/Minus was not a stat when Clancy played.

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Stanley Cup Champion (1932)
    First Team All-Star (1931 & 1934)
    Second Team All-Star (1932 & 1934)
    Most Short-Handed Goals (1933-34)
    Most Defensive Point Shares (1930-31)

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