Ron Ellis

Ronald John Edward Ellis (January 8, 1945 – May 11, 2024) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Ellis played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ellis won the Stanley Cup in 1967, and took part in the famed 1972 Summit Series against the Russian National team. After retiring, Ellis went into business and later joined the staff of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Playing career Ellis was signed by the Leafs and played junior hockey with the Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1961–1964. He played on the team that won the Memorial Cup in 1964. Ellis became a full-time Leaf in 1964–65 and played 11 seasons to 1974–75, winning the Stanley Cup in 1967.

Ellis was also a member of Team Canada at the 1972 Summit Series, one of only seven Canadians to play every game in the series, and part of the only line to play together for every game, with centre Bobby Clarke and left winger Paul Henderson. , Ellis was still director of public affairs for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The stresses of life after hockey took their toll. In 1986 a bout with clinical depression began. He would later go public with his story by writing a book with Kevin Shea titled Over The Boards: The Ron Ellis Story, published in 2002. He was a speaker on the importance of diagnosing and treating clinical depression.

On October 17, 2016, Ellis was part of a healthy class inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, where he thanked Jim Gregory as his mentor and coach.

Death Ellis died on May 11, 2024, at the age of 79.

Awards and achievements Ellis earned an unusual tribute in 1968 when former Leafs star Ace Bailey—then working as a timekeeper at Maple Leaf Gardens—declared that he admired Ellis so much, he wanted the team to give his retired #6 to Ellis. Bailey's number had been retired following his career-ending injury in 1933. Ellis, who had been wearing #8, changed to #6 for the rest of his career, after which the number was re-retired.

1966–67 – Stanley Cup Champion 1964 – NHL All-Star Game 1965 – NHL All-Star Game 1968 – NHL All-Star Game 1970 – NHL All-Star Game 1972 Summit Series Champion

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs

International Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1972 Canada SS 8 0 3 3 8 1977 Canada WC 10 5 4 9 2 Senior totals 18 5 7 12 10

International play 1972 – Member of Team Canada in the Summit Series 1977 – Member of Team Canada in the World Hockey Championships