The Toronto Maple Leafs sent out an endearing condolence announcement at the passing of 86-year-old franchise legend Bob Baun.
Baun was a bruising defensive player for the Maple Leafs and created a hardman legacy.
“Boomer” will never be forgotten and perhaps his most enduring memory at Toronto was when he fractured his leg in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals against the Red Wings on a chilly April 23rd, 1964.
However, Baun did not sit in the dugout, instead Baun had his leg ‘frozen’ and scored the game-winning goal in overtime, to even the series.
Well, later that season the Maple Leafs went on to win the Stanley Cup, the franchise’s third straight.
Baun then won the championship one more time (his 4th) and became entrenched in Toronto folklore.
Ironically after a stint at the Oakland Seals he went on to play for the Detroit Red Wings.
“The Toronto Maple Leafs are deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Braun, whose enduring legacy of remarkable resilience includes his iconic game-winning goal during a Stanley Cup final despite playing with a broken leg,” said Leafs President Brendan Shanahan.
That story will live forever but he also played in 739 games with the Canadian-based franchise, playing a career total of 964 outings.
“His inspirational presence continues to embody the heart of the game,” the statement read.
“Boomer”, you will be missed. The cause of death was not immediately known at time of writing.
