Ron Ellis, a lifelong member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a key member of Canada’s 1972 Summit Series, and a longtime member of staff at the Hockey Hall of Fame, passed away May 11 at the age of 79.
Over and above his playing career and his work with the Hockey Hall of Fame, it was impossible for anyone who met him, knew him, or worked with him not to use the word “nice” in any description of his character. Liked and admired, he was a genuine person through and through, beloved in whatever world he inhabited.
Like so many, the NHL Alumni Association took to X (formerly Twitter) to mourn Ellis’s passing. “The NHL Alumni Association is heartbroken to learn that Stanley Cup Champion and 2024 NHLAA ‘Keith Magnuson Man of the Year’ Award recipient, Ron Ellis, has passed away at the age of 79… Ellis’s contributions philanthropically were global and impactful through his work with many charities and mental health initiatives. He dedicated his life, post hockey, to the Hockey Hall of Fame, and could be found each day smiling while he led guests through the great museum archives proudly.”
“So sad to hear of Ron Ellis’s passing,” Sportsnet’s Christine Simpson added. “We worked together at the Hockey Hall of Fame for the 5 years I was there. You couldn’t meet a more genuinely caring and lovely man.”
“Devastated by the news of the passing of Ron Ellis today,” added John Bower, son of legend Johnny Bower. “He was a kind friend to everyone including yours truly. Always asked about the family, how life was going to make sure I was well not just physically but mentally as well. He’s joined the Leafs alumni in the sky. RIP Ron.”
Ellis played his entire 16-year career with the Leafs, starting briefly with the 1963-64 season and culminating in 1967 when he helped the Leafs win the Stanley Cup, the last of the Original Six and the last, to date, in franchise history.
Ellis retired in 1975 but came out of retirement to play in the 1977 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Austria. This was a monumental moment in international hockey history as Canada was returning to international competition for the first time since 1969. Ellis was joined by the likes of Phil and Tony Esposito, Rod Gilbert, and Carol Vadnais. He enjoyed himself so much that he returned to the Leafs for four more seasons, retiring in 1981 after having played 1,034 regular-season games with the team, one of only five players in team history to do so.
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