Toronto Maple Leafs alumni Wendel Clark, Red Kelly, Frank Mahovlich and Charlie Conacher officially joined Legends Row on Thursday night, completing the team’s monument honouring 14 franchise greats from the past century.
The four additions join icons Darryl Sittler, Dave Keon, Johnny Bower, Ted ‘Teeder’ Kennedy, Borje Salming, George Armstrong, Syl Apps, Mats Sundin, Tim Horton and Turk Broda.
“It’s an amazing moment, without a doubt,” Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello said via the team’s website. “To recognize the great history of the franchise and to honour these fine men this way, it’s just tremendous. It really gives you chills.”
Clark, Kelly and Mahovlich were in attendance, and Conacher was represented by his son, Brad. Several other legends were also present for the ceremony.
The four additions—and the final ones for the foreseeable future—were announced back in February as part of the Maple Leafs’ centennial celebration.
“Throughout the Maple Leafs Centennial anniversary season, we have celebrated the great players and accomplishments of this iconic franchise while also looking towards the future and the opportunity to write the next great chapter in the club’s history,” team president Brendan Shanahan said at the time. “The addition of these four great players to Legends Row will mark another important moment during this anniversary season and is a testament to all that they have meant to this franchise.”
Clark, the team’s first-ever No. 1 overall draft pick (1985), played 13 seasons in Toronto and served as captain for three years, earning the nickname ‘Captain Crunch’ thanks to his tough playing style.
Conacher’s career with the Leafs spanned through most of the 1930s, making a name for himself as a high-scoring member of the beloved “Kid Line.” He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961 and was named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players earlier this year.
Kelly won the Stanley Cup four times during his eight-year career with Toronto from 1959 to 1967—this, after winning the Cup four times with the Detroit Red Wings. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969 and was also named to the NHL’s 100 Greatest list.
Joining Kelly’s line in 1960 was Mahovlich, who helped the club win three Cups while leading the Leafs in goals in all three campaigns. He played a dozen seasons in Toronto, winning the Stanley Cup four times. He was announced as Hall of Famer in 1981, made a member of the Order of Canada in 1994, appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1998 and was named to the ‘100 Greatest’ list earlier this year.
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