Darryl Sittler
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Darryl Sittler (born September 18, 1950 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada), was a professional ice hockey player.
Sittler was selected 8th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1970 Amateur Draft. He played professionally from 1970 until 1985 for the Maple Leafs, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Detroit Red Wings.
Sittler is remembered as one of the Maple Leafs' most productive offensive stars of the 1970s. In this vein, on February 7, 1976 he set the NHL record for most points scored in one game when he recorded ten points against the Boston Bruins. This record still stands. A few months later, Sittler tied the playoff record for most goals in one game (5), and in the summer he scored the overtime winner for Team Canada in the inaugural Canada Cup.
In spite of his heroics, Sittler's relationship with cantankerous Leafs owner Harold Ballard slowly deteriorated, and became unfixable after Sittler's linemate and friend Lanny McDonald was traded to the woeful Colorado Rockies on December 29, 1979. By this time, the Leafs' coach was the difficult Punch Imlach, who may have known his hockey, but who didn't enjoy the greatest reputation for interpersonal skills. Some have suggested Imlach engineered the McDonald trade to spite Sittler. In protest, Sittler resigned the team captaincy, although he later re-assumed the honor at the start of the next season.
On January 20, 1982, Sittler's time with the Leafs came to an ignoble end, with a trade to Philadelphia, one which he had demanded. He later moved on to Detroit. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989.
Career Statistics: 484 goals scored, 637 assists over 1,096 games played.
| Preceded by: Dave Keon |
Toronto Maple Leafs Captains | Succeeded by: Rick Vaive |