Dave Keon

Keon was a major reason that the Maple Leafs won four Stanley Cups in the 1960’s and he was not just popular with the fans because of it, but with his team mates as well. This was not the case though with ownership as the mild mannered Keon, fell out of favor with the curmudgeonly Leafs owner, Harold Ballard. Keon, who was the Captain of Toronto was not resigned by the Leafs and he bolted to the WHA and remained a productive player. Keon would finish out his playing days in New England, who was rechristened as the Hartford Whalers when they joined the NHL. The ever humble Keon, retired without a press conference; he simply did not want to draw attention to himself.

The same could be said about his acrimonious departure from Toronto. Despite countless overtures after Ballard’s death and new ownership (who honored the past instead of burying it like Ballard did) it would not be for decades later that Dave Keon would set foot in a Toronto Maple Leafs event. When he finally did (in 2007 when the Leafs honored the 67 Cup team) he received a huge ovation; probably one of the most deserving one in sporting history.



The Bullet Points:

Elected In:
1986

Position:
Centre

Played for:
Toronto Maple Leafs
Minnesota Fighting Saints (WHA)
Indianapolis Racers (WHA)
New England Whalers (WHA)
Hartford Whalers
Team Canada (1972 Summit Series)

Major Accolades and Awards:
Lady Byng Trophy (2) (1962 & 1963)
Conn Smythe Trophy (1) (1967)
Calder Trophy (1961)
Paul Deneau Trophy (WHA) (1977 & 1978)
Second Team All Star (2) (1962 & 1971)
All Star Games (8) (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971 & 1972)
Stanley Cup Rings (4) (Toronto Maple Leafs 1962, 1963, 1964 & 1967)