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Toronto Maple Leafs: Remembering Tim Horton

By Dave Stevenson

BOSTON - 1960's: Defenseman Tim Horton of the Toronto Maple Leafs moves in to check Hubert 'Pit' Martin of the Boston Bruins during a game a the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, 1960s. Johnny Bucyk of the Bruins watches the play in the background. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
BOSTON - 1960's: Defenseman Tim Horton of the Toronto Maple Leafs moves in to check Hubert 'Pit' Martin of the Boston Bruins during a game a the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, 1960s. Johnny Bucyk of the Bruins watches the play in the background. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /
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On February 21st 1974, after playing a game with the Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs legend Tim Horton died in a car crash. 45 years later, his legacy remains.

When people hear the name Tim Horton today, the first thing that comes to mind is the popular North American coffee shop chain. But before the name came synonymous with doughnuts and lattes, it was synonymous with hockey. Horton was a defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. He spent the first 21 seasons of his career with the Leafs.

On Feb. 21st, 1974, Horton’s life came to a tragic end. After playing a game for the Sabres, he headed to his office. Sadly, Horton had been drinking, which ultimately, combined with reckless speeding, caused a crash, killing him. He also was not wearing his seatbelt.

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In 1948, the Toronto native signed with the Maple Leafs. After several years spent between the Leafs and the Pittsburgh Hornets, he came up to the NHL for good in 1952. Horton was named a second-team All-Star during the 1953-54 season.

Overall, he was named to six All-Star teams. Horton was on three first-teams (1964, 1968, 1969) and three second-teams (1954, 1963, and 1967). In 1964, he opened his first coffee shop, which he named after himself. Within four years, the franchise became a multi-million dollar franchise.

Horton led the Maple Leafs to four Stanley Cups, including their most recent one in 1967. His number seven is honored by Toronto, as he shared it with King Clancy. The Sabres have also retired his number two, which he wore during his time there.

In 1977, Horton was posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He played in 1,184 games over 20 seasons with the Leafs. Horton put up 458 points, which ranks third among all Leafs defensemen. This trails only Börje Salming and Tomáš Kaberle.

After leaving the Maple Leafs, Horton played for the Rangers for two seasons. He accumulated 26 points in 93 games. Following his tenure with the Rangers, Horton played for the Pittsburgh Penguins for a season. There, he put up 11 games in 44 games.  In 124 games with the Sabres, Horton put up 26 points.

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His legacy lives on through his coffee shop, which has turned into one of the most successful in North America. It is most popular in Canada.

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