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Former Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Dead at 81


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Alexander Cole
September 19, 2025  (8:24 PM)
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Andre Champagne
Photo credit: NHL

Some sad news has been announced in the hockey world today as former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Andre Champagne passed away at 81 years old.

Earlier this week, we got horrible news about Wade McLeod, a one-time Maple Leaf who passed away after a battle with cancer.
Today, the franchise was hit with more bad news as it was revealed that Andre Champagne passed away at the age of 81.
Overall, Champagne was a bit of a journeyman who played two games for the Maple Leafs during the 1962-63 season.
For the most part, he spent much of his career in the AHL with the Tulsa Oilers and the Rochester Americans.

Andre Champagne played two games for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Champagne was someone who had a deep love for the sport and brought that to each and every game. He was passionate and fought for a long time.
In the NHL Alumni's statement on Champagne, it became clear just how beloved the forward was.
The NHL Alumni Association is saddened to learn that Andre Champagne has passed away at the age of 81.

From Eastview, Ontario, Andre enjoyed an incredibly successful junior hockey career, winning the Memorial Cup with Toronto St. Michael's in 1961.

Andre made his NHL debut on February 23, 1963, against the Boston Bruins at Maple Leaf Gardens, and would play one more game on February 27 against the Chicago Black Hawks.

After his time in Toronto, Andre joined the Rochester Americans, Toronto's AHL affiliate at the time, for the 1963 Calder Cup Playoffs. Andre returned to junior hockey for the 1963-64 season with the Toronto Marlboros, where he'd win his second Memorial Cup.

Andre's professional hockey career later took him to Tulsa in the Central Professional Hockey League, before returning to AHL Rochester, where he'd play his final three seasons.

We send our deepest condolences to Andre's family, friends, and former teammates during this difficult time.

RIP Andre Champagne.
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Former Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Dead at 81

RIP Andre Champagne

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