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.
Ron first joined the
@MapleLeafs
roster undrafted in the 1963-64 season for one game. He would find himself joining the team full-time the following season, and would remain a Maple Leaf for the rest of his
@NHL
career.
Ellis became a key member of the team, and would ultimately earn the highest honour in hockey of winning the Stanley Cup in 1967. He played in 1,034 regular-season games, scoring 640 points over his career. He was also an intricate part of the famed Canadian team in the 1972 Summit Series.
After his playing days had ended, Ron found a new passion for helping his teammates and NHL Alumni Family. He was always available to lend an ear, his heart and help.
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.
In February of this year, Ron Ellis became a recipient of our ‘Keith Magnuson Man of the Year' Award for these countless contributions to his community and the hockey world.
His family was so special to him and was his bright shining light.
We send our deepest condolences to Ron's family, his wife Jan, son RJ, daughter-in-law Renata, friends, and former teammates. Please respect the family's privacy during this difficult time.
No matter what age you are, if you're a Maple Leafs fan, you are likely aware of how much of an impact Ron Ellis had being a member of the Maple Leafs and how much it truly meant to him, even during the latter part of his career, which were some of the darker times in the club's history.
