Leafs Strike Oil On Night Of Dave Keon’s Long-Awaited Return
Posted February 17, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It doesn’t make up for 40 years of futility, but on a night when Toronto honoured its 1967 Stanley Cup team and welcomed back one of the franchise’s all-time heroes, a win sure was nice.
That’s what the Buds got Saturday, as the return of the 1967 team including the long-awaited return of star centre and former captain Dave Keon led to an emotionally charged 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
John Pohl and current captain Mats Sundin scored two goals each, while Tomas Kaberle had two assists and Andrew Raycroft continued his hot play stopping 28 shots.
The win also gave the Leafs sole possession of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference thanks to losses by the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders.
Marc-Antoine Pouliot scored twice and Steve Staios added a third for the Oilers, who fell to 0-2-1 on a seven-game road trip that will go a long way in determining whether they’re buyers or sellers come the February 27 trade deadline.
But even a much sharper Oilers club would’ve had trouble winning on this night, as the present-day edition of Leafs did the 1967 version, and 19,599 fans at Air Canada Centre proud.
Though the game featured a steady dose of back-and-forth, it seemed is if the Leafs were simply destined to win on the night they reconciled with the disgruntled Keon. And when Sundin scored his 25th of the year to give Toronto a 4-2 lead midway through the third period, it seemed as if the roof would literally be blown off the building.
For almost 30 years Keon stood at odds with the Leafs over a number of issues including the team’s reluctance to retire his and other numbers.
But the 67-year-old couldn’t resist a chance to be reunited with his Stanley Cup teammates, and in the end was glad he allowed himself to take part.
“I was very appreciative of the people – they’ve always been very good to me,” said Keon during the pre-game ceremony in which he received a minute-long standing ovation.
“I was very happy I was able to be a part of it.”
His teammates were also thrilled to see the Davey back in the Blue and White, if only for one evening.
“I’m happy for Dave,” said Bob Pulford. “Seeing him come back and get the recognition he deserved is a wonderful thing.
“It’s nice that he’s dropped the resentment, or whatever he felt toward the organization,” added former centre Pete Stemkowski.
“I’ve always joked with him that all the people he was fighting with are dead, so let’s get back (to Toronto ) and get on with it.”
F ormer Leafs goalie Johnny Bower was also on hand, and the 82-year-old, whose jersey does hang from the ACC rafters, ranked the festivities among the best he’s ever seen.
“I never thought anything like this would ever happen,” Bower insisted.
In truth there was only one thing missing: The Stanley Cup.
The Cup wasn’t brought out for the ceremony, which is strange because it was recently at the Calgary Saddledome for Mike Vernon’s jersey retirement.
Toronto gets back to reality Tuesday when they host the Boston Bruins.
David Michael Keon Career Facts
- Born March 22, 1940 in Noranda, Quebec.
- Began his hockey career with the St. Michael Buzzers of the Ontario Hockey Association in 1956.
- Spent 15 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1960-75, compiling NHL career totals of 396 goals and 590 assists in 1286 games.
- Served as Leafs captain from 1969 through 1975.
- Left for the World Hockey Association in 1975 after a series of conflicts with Leafs owner Harold Ballard. Scored 189 goals and and added 291 assists in 102 games between 1975-1979 before returning to the NHL for three seasons with the Hartford Whalers.
- He retired from hockey in 1982 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986.
- Won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1961, the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1962 and 1963 and Conn Smythe Trophy in 1967 after leading the Maple Leafs to their last Stanley Cup.
- Won four Stanley Cups with the Maple Leafs in 1961-62, 1962-63, 1963-64 and 1966-67.
- Appeared in eight all-star games in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971 and 1973.
- Ranked 69th on The Hockey News’ 1998 list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
- The Arena Dave Keon, in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, is named in his honour.
- His number 14 has never been retired by the Leafs, and is currently worn by forward Matt Stajan.
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