REMEMBERING WALLY

Remembering the great Wally Stanowski, who died on this date back in 2015 at the age of 96.

He was an All-Star defenceman and a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was a rookie with the Leafs in 1939-40. Also, he played for the New York Rangers.

Wally was an encyclopedia of hockey knowledge and always had an opinion on different aspects of the game. He was the heart and soul of our Original Six Alumni lunches and is missed by our group.

One of my best memories of Wally was interviewing him on a cold February afternoon at his home. Wally talked hockey and only stopped for an occasional puff on his pipe.

Above is a picture of Wally that appeared in the March 27, 1948, edition of the Toronto Daily Star. The caption read: "That's Wally Stanowski piloting the electric razor in the middle panel. He's still the steadiest performer the Leafs have in front of Broda." The reference being to Toronto goalie Turk Broda, who backstopped the Leafs to the 1948 Stanley Cup victory.