“He Was a Great Leaf”: Four-Time Stanley Cup Winner Bob Baun Passes Away Leaving NHL Fans Inconsolable

The 2022–23 NHL season was a mixed bag for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team’s rich history in the league further added to the disappointment of the supporters. However, the team’s legacy was established by its four Stanley Cup victories in the 1960s. Bob Baun, who in 1964 helped the Maple Leafs win three straight Stanley Cups despite playing on a broken ankle, died on Tuesday, sending shockwaves throughout the world.

The passing of the famous defenseman has devastated National Hockey League fans. The Toronto Maple Leafs posted an homage to their legend on X (formerly Twitter) that included a few photos and a letter from the team’s president. Numerous followers gathered in the social media post to express their sorrow for the loss of Bob “Boomer” Baun.

The man who carried Maple Leafs to victory with a broken ankle

Bob Baun, a four-time Stanley Cup champion, passed away on Tuesday, and the world was stunned. The 86-year-old NHL legend was a true gem of a player in his day, and his spectacular performance in the 1964 Stanley Cup Final while playing on a fractured ankle is legendary. The Stanley Cup dream was kept alive thanks to Baun’s overtime goal in Game 6 of the Finals, and the club went on to win Game 7 with a dominant 4-0 lead against the Detroit Red Wings. Even though the NHL legend is no longer with us, the performance he gave will live in the hockey history books.

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As an homage, the Toronto Maple Leafs published a small collection of photos of the NHL legend. The first photo was an iconic picture of the hockey star smiling for all eternity while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The second photo published to X is instantly recognizable as a classic since it depicts the NHL veteran and his squad enthusiastically celebrating their Stanley Cup victory. The third photo shows a retired Bob Baun receiving an award while sporting his classic Maple Leafs jersey. The last image is a message from Brendan Shanahan, president of the Maple Leafs, who is “deeply saddened” by Bob Baun’s death.

Ice hockey enthusiasts were quick to express their sadness at the news of Bob Baun’s death, which spread like wildfire over the internet.

Mourning in memory of Bob Baun

The death of Bob Baun came as a shock to every ice hockey lover. As soon as the Toronto Maple Leafs announced the news on X, mourning supporters descended on the thread.

A veteran Maple Leafs fan gave a tribute to the legend, saying, “One of our favourite Leafs and just an all round gentleman. But can he ever throw a hip check!! Those were the days!”

His iconic record in the 1964 Stanley Cup Finals is something the fans still remember, as this comment read, “GWG on a broken leg? #hockeyguy RIP to a legend.”

A fan gets nostalgic, as they say, “In grade four(1969), my first ever public speaking event, I aced my speech about the TML’S & Bobby Baun was my favourite player! God bless & RIP!”

One fan also recalls the greatness of Bob Baun, as they say, “He was a great Leaf Damn…one of the Best.”

With 964 career regular season games played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Oakland Seals, and Detroit Red Wings between 1956 and 1973, the defender cemented his place as one of the NHL’s all-time greats at his position. His legacy in ice hockey will live on via his records, and he will be sorely missed.

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