- Hap Day --27-28 36-37
- CharlieConacher--1937-38
- Red Horner--38-39-39-40
- Syl Apps40--41-42-43 &1945-46 -1947-48
- BobDavidson--43-44 44-45
- Ted Kennedy--48-49 54-55 &1956-57
- Sid Smith --1955-56
- GeorgeArmstrong--1957-58 68-69
- Dave Keon69--70 74-75
- Darryl Sittler --75-76 to 1980-81
- Rick Vaive-- 1981-82 1985-86
- Rob Ramage --1989-90 1990-91
- Wendel Clark --1991-92 to 1993-94
- Doug Gilmour --1994-95 to 1996-97
- Mats Sundin --1997-98 to to 2007-08
Who will be the 16th Captain ofthe Toronto Maple Leafs?
Who was the best Captain ever?
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Teeder Kennedy feels bad for most of the Maple Leafs captains who followed his 14 seasons -- 1943-1957 -- during which he won more Stanley Cups than all of them.
Make that five in his first seven seasons as a Leaf.
But Kennedy, 80, yesterday said it is the sweater and not the number of Cups that makes being a captain in Toronto for him and the eight other living players who wore the 'C' so special.
All nine gathered yesterday for the Captain's Gala at Exhibition Place's Liberty Grand to be honoured, and to honour a tradition that has been as much a part of Toronto as have street cars since early this century.
Starting with Kennedy, George Armstrong, Dave Keon, Darryl Sittler, Rick Vaive, Rob Ramage, Wendel Clark, Doug Gilmour and current captain Mats Sundin, each Leafs captain has had their time in the spotlight.
"It has always been a position of more than just captain of a hockey team," Kennedy said. "Right from the time Stafford Symthe changed the name of the team to the Maples Leafs, these players have been heroes."
He said the team has grown to mean much more than just another National Hockey League franchise.
"It started before the (Second World) War," Kennedy said. "The Maple Leafs became the home team to all of Canada, outside of Quebec."
He said the tradition of first listening to, then watching, Leafs games on Saturday night is now part and parcel of the very fabric of Toronto.
So last night's gala also gave back to the community by donating all of its proceeds to various local charities.
Gilmour said not much has changed in terms of what was expected of a Leafs captain between Kennedy's reign and his own 40 years later.
"Toronto is a hockey town," Gilmour said.
"Always has been, always will be."
Gilmour noted that what happened when the Leafs lost to Los Angeles in 1993 when the city threw a huge party for the team in Nathan Phillips Square could not happen anywhere else.
"We didn't make the Cup final, and yet there were tens of thousands of fans there to thank us for our effort,"he said.
"It was mind-boggling and very humbling."
Gilmour said the Leafs' record of no championships since 1967 would not be tolerated in any other market.
"What makes Leaf fans so special is that in good times and bad times they are there for the team," he said.
"It's a special place to play."
Throughout Leafs history, some of hockey's finest players have worn the 'C' for the blue and white. Now we want to know: Who's your pick for Toronto's all-time top captain?
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"It depends I guess on the era in which we all watched the Leafs the most. For me it would have to be Darryl Sitler. To play and live through the Ballard years the way he did and achieve the results and admiration from fans and players is amazing. I really admire him. His dedication and leadership should be acknowledged. My second and third choices would be Dave Keon and Doug Gilmour, both smaller than average type players who played the game like giants." - Mario DiBartolomeo, Caledon, Nov. 8
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"A great captain leads. Leadership means that when he says or does something, people follow. A great captain also must succeed, which means winning the Stanley Cup. So as wonderful as Mats is as a person and a player, he cannot be considered the best captain. Armstrong was a leader, won the Cup several times and now should win the vote for the best captain ever." - Harry Mingail, Toronto, November 5
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"As a witness since the mid '50s, I'd say they are all quality leaders for varied reasons under different circumstances. Yet, Doug Gilmour's goal against Curtis Joseph (St. Louis) is the tie breaker. Further, anyone who gets away with planting a 'pucker' on Don Cherry during Coach's Corner has a trump card in the debate." - Wayne Wheeler, Schomberg, Oct. 23
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"My vote for best Leaf captain would have to go to Doug Gilmour. Night in and night out, Dougie delivered on and off the ice. He never hid behind excuses, and played with his heart on his sleeve." - Pete Young, Calgary, October 16
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"Dave Keon is the best captain in Leaf history. Keon did it all during his career. Offence, defence, Stanley Cups, individual awards, longevity, and fan popularity. Keon also had the respect of his peers and was a standout player both pre and post expansion. Hell, I even admire his commitment to the grudge he holds against the Leafs. Apps and Teeder would be next, with an honourable mention to Clark on sheer guts alone. Marty Joseph, Toronto, September 30
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"In term of playing service and representing the very best of individual qualities on and off the ice, I'm stunned that Syl Apps was not mentioned anywhere by Sun staff or any fans!! And Vaive gets a mention?? Apps epitomizes everything that the Leafs should represent: pride, courage, discipline and a win-at-all-costs attitude." - Clarence Poirier, Mississauga, September 30
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"Sundin's name should not even be in contention. He's not a player who stands out when his team is down. He only appears to be concerned about points and is in no way a solid two-way player. He's not a well rounded player and is definitely not a leader - when the going gets tough, Sundin gets going...or at least hides behind the referee or his teammates." - Dean Panco, Sault Ste Marie, September 29
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"Absolutely no doubt - Dougie Gilmour! He was a born leader who literally bled blue and was highly respected by teammates, the opposition and the press. A determined, unselfish, dedicated team leader. In spite of his lofty position as captain, he was a man who never lorded it over others and always had time for the youngsters and fans." - Léonie Hartley-Hoover, London, Ont., September 24
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"First choice: Dave Keon, probably the most underrated hockey player of his time - an outstanding Leafs captain and with several (at least four) Stanley Cup wins to prove it! Second choice: Wendel Clark. Everybody knows Wendel's blood is Maple Leaf blue." - Sheila Miceli, Toronto, September 23
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"Unless you have held the Stanley Cup over your head, you shouldn't even be considered!" - John Scallon, Vancouver, September 22
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"Darryl Sittler was the greatest. He captained a Leaf ship through the most troubled era in team history with grace, charisma, poise and above all, dignity. He stood his ground with Ballard and sacrificed himself for what he believed in. You can't ask for anything else from a leader." - Bert Ryles, Oromocto, N.B., September 17
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"[Mats Sundin] has never been given enough credit or respect. And as far as quality linemates? Please, maybe when Mogilny was healthy or a 40ish year old winger was on track. But but about when they wer off or before the were even here? Give the big Swede some credit and respect." - Ed Bernard, Burlington, September 17
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"Without doubt, Rick Vaive. He rose above the tyranny of Harold Ballard and represented the Blue and White with courage in the slot, leadership in the room and interest in the community. He even chose the pre game music at MLG! No one gave more physically nor endured more mentally than #22." - Jim Raby, Auburn, Maine, September 17
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"You gotta love Dave Keon as the Leafs greatest captain. I remember doing something bad when I was a young boy and my dad tore up my Dave Keon hockey card. I cried all night. I did get another one like the one he tore up, but never forgave him, LOL. I think all of us adults 35-60 really love and respect Dave Keon." - Rick Holler, Whitby, September 16
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"Ted Kennedy certainly should be considered as he led our Leafs during our greatest era." - Al Topping, Stuart, Florida, September 16
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"Wendel Clark is the Leafs' top captain and there isn't even a close second pick. This guy didn't have near the talent the Leafs currently have as teammates, but he'd lay his life on the line for any one of them. He would hit, fight, score, block a shot and do anything to give his team a rise. There is not one teammate that he played with that could look at Wendel Clark and not consider him the leader of the team." - Devin Malakoff, Regina, Saskatchewan, September 16
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"Although he arguably wasn't the best player on the team, it's hard to dispute that The Chief, George Armstrong, is the greatest Leaf captain ever. He's the only Toronto captain with four Stanley Cup rings. ... He captained the team during the Original Six era before scoring statistics became inflated, but he still managed 713 points and holds Leaf records for most seasons played (21) and most games played (1,187) as far as I know. He was a true gentleman from what I could determine and had the respect of teammates, opposition players and even the referees." - Terry Potter, Hamilton, September 16
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"Wendel Clark is my choice for the Maple Leafs' greatest captain because he led by example from the time he arrived in Toronto until his retirement. He was a classic example of leadership by example and nothing else commands more respect than that." - Pete McDonald, Courtice, Ontario, September 16
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"Doug Gilmour - He was a small guy with a big heart, taking a average team to two final fours. I could remember him being interviewed after a long overtime game in the playoffs with a black eye and a cut on his face. He had a look of a warrior." - David Spencer, Surrey, BC, September 16
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"In my opinion, Doug Gilmour has been the best captain for the Leafs in recent memory. His drive and determination turned this team around in 1993 and we have never looked back. He was a natural-born leader that his players looked up to. It is a shame his career had to come to an end. No. 93 ... simply the best!" - Dan Proctor, Listowel, September 16
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"Doug Gilmour far and away surpasses any of the other Leaf captains as the greatest ever. He ... single-handedly transformed a sub .500 team into a Stanley Cup contender in one season and they've maintained that excellency ever since. THANKS DOUG!" - Dale Sheppard, Oakville, September 16
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