Former Toronto Maple Leafs great Gaye Stewart passes away

Gaye Stewart, a member of the Maple Leafs’ 1942 and 1947 Stanley Cup winning teams, has passed away at the age of 87.

“Our organization is saddened by the passing of Gaye Stewart. On behalf of everyone with the Maple Leafs, I extend our condolences and prayers to Gaye’s family and friends,” said Toronto Maple Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke.

Stewart became just the second Maple Leafs player to capture the Calder Memorial Trophy as the National Hockey League’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ by gaining the honour in 1942-43. The left winger’s most productive season in Toronto came in 1945-46 when he scored a league-high 37 goals while leading the team with 52 points in 50 games. The former Toronto Marlboro would go on to play for Chicago, Detroit, New York Rangers and Montreal during his National Hockey League career before retiring in 1955.

With the Blue and White, Stewart recorded 81 goals and 52 assists for 133 points in 165 regular season games in 1942/43 and from 1945/46 to 1947. The Fort William, Ontario native collected two goals and seven assists in 18 playoff games during the Maple Leafs’ dynamic 1940’s era.