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Five Interesting Facts in Toronto Maple Leafs’ Goalie History

The Toronto Maple Leafs are an Original 6 team. They’ve had many goalies play for them. What are some interesting facts from that history?

Things have changed over the many seasons the NHL has been in existence. In today’s post, I want to look at some of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ interesting history in goal. Here are some of the most interesting facts.

Related: Seven Reasons Wayne Simmonds Re-Signed with the Maple Leafs

Interesting Fact #1: Frederik Andersen Stands Sixth in Games Played in Maple Leafs’ History

Who knew that Frederik Andersen had played long enough to log enough games to place even in the top 10 of games played in Maple Leafs’ history? But there he is at #6 with 268 games played. In fact, had he not been injured this season, he would have passed Cujo (Curtis Joseph), who’s played 270 games and maybe even Mike Palmateer with 296.

The goalie who’s played the most games in Maple Leafs’ history was “Turk” (Walter) Broda, who played a whopping 629 games. Johnny Bower was second with 475 games; and, Felix Potvin was third with 369 games played.

Frederik Andersen Jack Campbell Maple Leafs
Frederik Andersen Jack Campbell Maple Leafs

Interesting Fact #2: During the Decade of the 1950s, the Maple Leafs Only Played Five Goalies in 10 Seasons

Times have changed for goalies over the years. During the decade of the 1950 to 1960, the Maple Leafs only played five goalies during the entire decade. They were, in order of appearance, Al Rollins and Turk Broda (both 1950-52); Harry Lumley came during 1952-53 season; Gilles Mayer came during the 1953-54 season; Ed Chadwick and Ross Wilson played in 1955-56; and, Johnny Bower came in 1958-59.

Interesting Fact #3: Three Times During the 1950s, a Single Goalie Played Every Minute of the Season

It’s hard to believe now, but it used to be that backup goalies simply got no work – for an entire season. During the 1952-53 season, Harry Lumley played every single minute of the season and had a record of 27-30-13. During the 1956-57 season and the 1957-58 season, Ed Chadwick was in the nets for every minute of every game. In 1956-57 his record was 21-34-15 and 1957-58 his record was 21-38-11.

Interesting Fact #4: Jack Campbell Has the Fourth-Best Save Percentage of All-Time

How good was Jack Campbell’s 2020-21 season? During the season, he posted a record of 20-5-2 and, to move his career save percentage to 0.920. It’s the fourth-best save percentage in Maple Leafs history. The Maple Leafs’ all-time leaders for their careers are tied. They include both Jacques Plante (who played in 106 games for three seasons from 1970-73) and – as short as it was – Curtis McElhinney who, during 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, posted a save percentage of 0.925 in 32 games. McElhinney is currently back-up goalie with the Tampa Bay Lightning. In third place is Johnny Bower with a save percentage of 0.922 in 435 games.

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Interesting Fact #5: Charlie Conacher Is the Only Maple Leafs’ “Goalie” Who’s Scored a Goal

At one time during NHL history, when a goalie was given a penalty, he served his own penalties. If a goalie was injured during a game, a regular player was assigned to replace that goalie in the net. Charlie Conacher was a right-winger, but he played three games in goal for the Maple Leafs. And, during those games that he actually played goal, he scored three goals. As a result, he’s the only Maple Leafs’ goalie to be credited with scoring a goal.

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