Darryl Sittler

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Darryl Glen Sittler (born September 18, 1950) is a Canadian former professional hockey player who played in the NHL from 1970 to 1985 for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, and Detroit Red Wings. He grew up in St. Jacobs, Ontario, and was drafted eighth overall by the Maple Leafs in 1970. Sittler became the Leafs’ captain in 1975 and had a 100-point season (41 goals, 59 assists) in his first year as captain. He also scored five goals in a playoff game against the Flyers and helped Canada win the 1976 Canada Cup.

On February 7, 1976, Sittler set an NHL single-game record with 10 points (six goals, four assists) against the Boston Bruins, a mark that still stands. He remains the most recent Leafs player to score six goals in a game. In 1977–78 he had 117 points, third in the league, and earned a Second Team All-Star nod. He held the Maple Leafs’ single-season points record until Doug Gilmour broke it in 1992–93. Sittler was traded to the Flyers in January 1982 after a lengthy contract dispute, later played for Detroit, and retired in 1985.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989, Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2016, and the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2017 he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. The Maple Leafs honored him with a number 27 banner in 2003, and retired the number in 2016 during the team’s centennial celebrations. After retiring, Sittler returned to the Leafs as a consultant and public relations figure, and has remained active in public speaking and charity work. He comes from a hockey family; his brother Gary played in the WHA, and his son Ryan was drafted by the Flyers in 1992. His daughter Meaghan played for the U.S. national women’s team.