REMEMBERING FLEMING MacKELL

 

Remembering Fleming MacKell, who died on this date in 2015. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, on April 30, 1929.

Hockey was in MacKell's blood as his dad, Jack MacKell, was a Stanley Cup champion with the Ottawa Senators in 1920 and 1921.

Fleming MacKell was a product of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and got his start with St. Mike's in the Ontario Hockey Association in 1946-47, he turned pro the following season with the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets. That same year, 1947-48, MacKell was called-up by the Toronto Maple Leafs for three games.

After several seasons of splitting his time between Toronto and Pittsburgh, MacKell left Pittsburgh behind him and became a regular with the Leafs.

In Toronto, MacKell matched his dad's Stanley Cup success by winning two Cups. His first came in 1949, when he was only 19 years-old. In 1951, MacKell captured his second Cup as Bill Barilko scored his Cup-winning goal in the overtime of game five against the Montreal Canadiens.

On January 9, 1952, MacKell was shipped to the Boston Bruins for defenceman Jimmy Morrison.

MacKell's best season, goal-wise, was in 1952-53 with Boston when he connected for 27 goals. His performance earned him a spot at center on the 1953 First All-Star Team. 

In the 1958 playoffs, MacKell led all point-getters with 19 points (5 goals-14 assists) in 12 games.

His last NHL season was in 1959-60 with the Boston Bruins.

The record shows Fleming MacKell played in 665 regular season games with Toronto and Boston. He scored 149 goals and added 220 assists for 369 points. He spent 562 minutes in the penalty box. In the playoffs, MacKell saw action in 80 contests. He scored 22 goals and 41 helpers for 63 points. His penalty minutes reached 75.