KAWARTHA LAKES-Dave Illman met hockey superstar Ron Ellis in 2011 when he came to Lindsay as part of a travelling roadshow to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the summit series.
Ellis passed away on Saturday, May 11 at the age of 79.
“Sorry to hear of the death of Lindsay guy and Leafs/Team Canada player Ron Ellis.” said Illman. “What a humble, soft-spoken, and dignified representative of that legendary championship 1972 team. I’m glad I met him.”
Ellis spent his entire professional hockey career with the Toronto Maple Leafs playing over 1,000 games with them. He was also a member of Canada’s team at the 1972 Summit Series. He racked up 640 points (332 goals, 308 assists) over 1,034 games. He was a member of the last Maple Leaf’s team to win the Stanley Cup in the 1966-67 season and a four-time all-star.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Leafs said Ellis will be deeply missed.
“We mourn the loss of Ron Ellis, a lifetime Leaf whose legacy is woven into the fabric of the blue and white,” the Maple Leafs said in a statement.
“Ron played his entire NHL career for Toronto. He was one of only five Maple Leafs to skate in more than 1,000 games for the club while also scoring the fifth most goals in team history. Ron was a true gentleman of the game who will be deeply missed.”
Ellis was from Lindsay and played junior hockey with the OHL Toronto Marlboros winning a Memorial Cup in 1964.
Our condolences to his family and friends.
