Bobby Baun

Robert Neil Baun (September 9, 1936 – August 14, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for 17 seasons from 1956 to 1973. His nickname was "Boomer".

Playing career

Baun played junior hockey with the Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1952 to 1956, winning the Memorial Cup in 1955 and 1956. After turning professional, Baun played most of the 1956–57 season with the Rochester Americans, the Toronto Maple Leafs affiliate in the American Hockey League. They would be the only minor league games Baun would ever play. He was called up to the Leafs during the season and played in Toronto for the next 11 seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967.

Baun was one of the hardest and cleanest hitters of his time. He was not considered an offensive threat as a defenceman, never scoring more than 20 points in a season in the NHL. His highest single-season goal total was eight in 1959–60. However, Baun is remembered for his performance in game six of the 1963–64 NHL season Stanley Cup finals against the Detroit Red Wings. On April 23, 1964, having fractured his ankle earlier in the game,

"My other careers were a learning experience, sometimes profitable, sometimes not, but I would not trade any of that," Baun wrote in his autobiography. "But in honest reflection, what has affected my life the most was that goal I scored on April 23, 1964."

Baun and the NHL pension plan

In the 1980s, Baun organized an NHL alumni association and began an investigation into the NHL's pension plan. The plan had been touted to players as the best in professional sports, but after playing in 17 NHL seasons, Baun's pension was only $7,622 a year. Baun received little support from other players, and eventually gave up. Problems with the pension plan were later uncovered through an audit backed by Carl Brewer.

Awards and honors On June 1, 2007, Baun was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology for his work on and off the ice. He resided in Ajax, Ontario.

In 2010, Baun was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal life and death Baun was the grandfather of former professional hockey player Kyle Baun, who played five games in the NHL.

Baun died on August 14, 2023, at the age of 86.

Career statistics

Coaching record Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L T Pts Finish Result Toronto Toros 1975–76 55 15 35 5 (35) 5th in WHA Canadian Missed playoffsTotal 55 15 35 5 (35)