2013 Maple Leafs top pick Frederik Gauthier left the ice in the first period of Team Canada’s 6-3 victory over Team Russia in Sherbrooke, Quebec on Thursday night after colliding with an opposing forward and did not return to the contest, but was not seriously injured.
The 19-year-old center was selected for the 2015 Summer Development Camp after playing effectively in a checking and special teams role for Canada at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship in Malmo, Sweden last December and scored one goal and one assist in a 6-2 win over the Czechs on Tuesday.
“I’m sore a bit, I didn’t want to take any chances, just stopped there.… Gauthier said to the Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan . “Going to check in with the doctor tomorrow just to be sure. It’s going to be okay.…
Leafs top pick William Nylander is not participating in the World Junior Evaluation Camp with Team Sweden in Lake Placid, NY this week due to problems with insurance and the fact that the 18-year-old has not agreed to an entry-level deal with Toronto as of yet.
Nylander is currently in talks with TOR for his ELC. No questions about him being on the U20 team once signed if available.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) August 3, 2014Defenseman Rinat Valiev(selected 68th overall by Toronto this June) scored one of Russia’s two goals in their 5-2 to loss to Canada on Wednesday.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have a rich history that includes numerous All-Stars, Stanley Cup winners and Hall-of-Fame players. There have been 852 players who have donned the Blue and White since their entry into the NHL in 1917, with dozens wearing the same jersey number over the years.
In this completely non-scientific exercise, we’ll take a look at who wore which number and vote on who was the best. Some decisions will be so apparent that voting will not be necessary, as in the case of #93(unless there is a sizeable faction that believes that Alexander Godynyuk had a better Leaf career than Doug Gilmour).
#3
Honorable Mentions
Marcel Pronovost – The Hall-of-Famer won four championships with the 1950’s Red Wings dynasty and was acquired by Toronto in a multi-player deal in 1965. He won his fifth Cup as a member of the Leafs “Over the Hill… gang in 1967.
Bob Rouse – Acquired from Washington along with Peter Zezel for Al Iafrate in 1991, Rouse was an effective, physical stay-at-home defenseman for two Toronto clubs that reached the Western Conference Final in 1993 and 1994.
Finalists
James “Gus… Mortson(1946-1952)
Toronto Totals – GP - 371, G – 21, A – 71, Pts – 92, PIM - 709
Stanley Cup Championships – 4 (1947-49, 1951)
First-Team NHL All-Star - 1950
Renowned for his tough play, Mortson won the Stanley Cup four times in the first five years of his NHL career with the Maple Leafs. After the retirement of Turk Broda in 1952, Toronto needed to replace the Hall-of-Fame goaltender and traded Mortson and three others to Chicago for Harry Lumley.
Dion Phaneuf(2010-Present)
Toronto Totals – GP – 302, G – 39, A – 104, Pts – 143, PIM – 423
The Leafs team captain was acquired in a massive seven-player deal with Calgary in January, 2010 and although not achieving the level of success he enjoyed with the Flames(NHL First-Team All-Star, Norris Trophy Finalist), he has undoubtedly been the club’s best and most consistent defenseman over the last four seasons. A lightning rod for controversy, Phaneuf signed a seven-year, $49 Million contract extension with Toronto on January 1 and became the favorite target for ridicule and blame after the club’s late season decline.
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