COAT OF ARMS

At the April lunch for the Original Six Alumni, three former Leafs were presented with their blazers honouring the Toronto Maple leafs 100th anniversary. Representing MLSE were Ali and Amber, who made the presentation to Phil Samis, Ron Hurst and Gary Collins.

Left to Right: Phil Samis, Amber and Ali

Left to Right: Ron Hurst, Gary Collins, Ali and Amber

Phil Samis made his NHL debut during the 1948 Stanley Cup final when Leaf defenceman, Gus Mortson, suffered a broken leg. The comparisons between Mortson and Samis were noted by Toronto Daily Star hockey writer Red Burnett. He wrote of Samis, "Like Mortson, he is quiet, unassuming chappie off the ice. Put a pair of skates on him and he becomes a belligerent warrior who neither asks nor gives a quarter."

Ron Hurst played in his first National Hockey League game on November 13, 1955. On the road at Madison Square Garden, it didn't take Hurst long to register his first NHL point. He assisted on a first period goal by Dick Duff.  A call-up from the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets, Hurst replaced George Armstrong on a line with Tod Sloan and Duff.

Gary Collins got his first taste of NHL action during the 1959 Stanley Cup playoffs. After spending the 1958-59 season in the Western Hockey League with the New Westminster Royals, Collins returned to his hometown of Toronto. As the Leafs opened their series against the Boston Bruins, Toronto coach and general manager, Punch Imlach, added Collins to his playoff roster. And in game one against the Bruins, Collins was ready when called upon. With Bert Olmstead unable to answer the bell for the third period due to a charley-horse injury, Collins replaced him.