'67: The Maple Leafs, Their Sensational Victory, and the End of an Empire

by Damien Cox, Gord Stellick

In 1967 the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup in a stunning defeat of the mighty Montreal Canadiens in Canada’s centennial year. Thirty-nine years later (and counting), no other Leaf team has been able to do it again. As the years pass, the legend grows. The men who were the Leafs in 1967--a scrappy group of aging players and unsung youngsters--were the kings of this universe, the last hockey heroes to skate in the world's most important hockey city. They were the men with the right stuff who enjoyed the perks and privileges that went with it. Sixty-Seven is not just another hockey book about that legendary team, but a unique and total look at the contradictions, the legends, the shame and the glory of '67. Within five years of that '67 victory, two key members of the team, Tim Horton and Terry Sawchuk, would be dead due to alcohol and drug-related issues. The man who had succeeded Smythe as King of Carlton Street, Harold Ballard, was in jail. The seeds of what would become a horrifying pedophile scandal a quarter-century later were being planted. All that had been built up over the course of decades was in the process of being torn down. Sixty-Seven will tell previously untold stories, funny and tragic, from the inside of that unforgettable dressing room. And beyond the story of the team, it will tell the story of the times, a time of innocence before Vietnam and Watergate, the last year of the Original Six-Team NHL, and the last gasp of the hockey dynasty built by the legendary Conn Smythe. The story of Sixty-Seven extends well beyond that of a hockey team that found a way to win.

Genres: Hockey, Sports, Canada, Nonfiction, History

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the longest current championship droughts in professional sports belongs to the Toronto Maple Leafs. They were one of the “Original Six” NHL teams and their last championship came during the last season of that era, 1967. The next season saw the league double in size from six teams to 12 and the expansion has continued to the 31 teams now playing. Think about that for a second – the Maple Leafs, who have long been the heart and soul of Toronto – have not won a Cup during the time the NHL grew more than five-fold.

While the title of this book may lead a reader to believe that this book will simply relive that last Stanley Cup championship, which ended a six year stretch of dominance by the Leafs, authors Damien Cox and Gord Stellick weave many reasons why the team has been struggling to regain that glory ever since that last year of the Original Six.

Cox and Stellick pull no punches in spreading the blame for the woes of the Maple Leafs. Just about everything that was wrong with the Maple Leafs is covered, including a horrendous pedophile scandal at Maple Leaf Gardens. The downturn actually began during their championship reign as the authors illustrate numerous lapses of judgement when it came to scouting and signing young talent to replace the aging stars of those great Leafs teams of the 1960’s. At that time, the Leafs had practically a stranglehold for acquiring players from the province of Ontario but one player in particular, who wanted to play for the Leafs but did not appreciate the low offer he was given, instead signed with the Boston Bruins. That young player’s name – Bobby Orr.

That was just one example of a common theme of the Maple Leafs under the guidance of Punch Imlach, Stafford Smythe and Harold Ballard, were known for not only their tight fisted ways when negotiating with players but also for their disdain of the newly formed players’ union. Ironically, that was headed by the now-shamed Alan Eagleson who was also the agent for Bobby Orr and several other players including Maple Leafs stars. Those who have followed hockey for a long time know about the many sins of Eagleson and that is the only issue I had with this book – he is practically given a free pass while Imlach, Smythe and others in the Maple Leafs organization are routinely criticized. That may be rightly so but it doesn’t explain how Eagleson is not held to the same standards.

The actual play on the ice for the 1967 Stanley Cup is not forgotten and each chapter is divided into the eleven playoff games played by the Leafs that season. The exploits of their veteran goaltending tandem of Johnny Bower and Terry Sawchuk are told in great detail, especially Bower’s feud with John Ferguson of Montreal in the Stanley Cup finals. Many other stars from that team are portrayed such as Dave Keon, Bob Pulford, Ron Ellis and Frank Mahavolich. Lesser known players who still had played a significant role in that championship season are also featured such as Brian Conacher, Larry Hillman and Marcel Pronovost. The story of this Maple Leafs team and the subsequent demise of the franchise is a terrific story with many interesting characters and is one that hockey fans will enjoy reading. Unless, of course, they are Leafs fans.


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[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

i bought this book in 2004 and read it then but felt it need a reread - it is amazing how a small group of people destroyed the Maple Leaf organization - not signing Bobby Orr - letting Gerry Cheevers go on waivers to Boston - getting nothing in return - trading Bob Pulford to Los Angeles which allowed them to move out of last place passed California Golden Seals - which meant Montreal got California's number 1 pick in the draft - that player - Guy Lefleur - the fighting over money and the formation of the players union - sadly this book is out of print

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1967 the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup in a stunning defeat of the Montreal Canadiens. No other Leaf team has been able to do it since. With the years, the legend grows. The men who were the Leafs in 1967--a scrappy group of aging players and unsung youngsters, the last hockey heroes to skate in Toronto Sixty-Seven is not just another hockey book about that legendary team, but a unique and total look at the contradictions, the legends, the shame and the glory of '67. Within five years of that '67 victory, two key members of the team, Tim Horton and Terry Sawchuk, would be dead due to alcohol and drug-related issues. The man who had succeeded Smythe as King of Carlton Street, Harold Ballard, was in jail. The seeds of what would become a horrifying pedophile scandal a quarter-century later were being planted. All that had been built up over the course of decades was in the process of being torn down. The book dispelled a lots of myths for me of this dynasty built by Conn Smythe. I always loved the story of the Stanley Cup being moved from the Quebec pavilion to the Ontario pavilion at Expo 67, but who knew that it would be the beginning of the end.

[John De Marchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book I grew up a Leafs fan. The book is a history of the Toronto Maple Leafs, from when the Smyth family owned to, to the construction of Maple Leaf Gardens to the late 60's when Harold Ballard bought the team right up until Steve Stavros bought the team. It gives a history of the coaches and players who played on the team. It talks about the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967 and their struggles to win another one. The book goes into the details of the players who were available on the Junior draft and how they passed them over. Players like Gerry Cheevers, Bobby Clark who became a star with the Phillie Flyers and Bobby Orr who played with Boston.

It also talks about the play-off series with the LA Kings where they were on game away from going to the Stanley Cup finals in the 1992-1993 and how Kerry Frazer missed the Wayne Gretzky's high sticking penalty call.

The leafs also got Wayne Gretzky on their roster but Steve Stavros blocked the deal so the Leafs could use the money to build a new arena.

[Erik Roejskjaer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a younger fan I knew a bit about the 1967 cup win but to read how it all went down was crazy to say the least. I liked the way the authors broke down the playoffs of that year and then explained a bit about the insane management of the team that dragged the leafs down in the immediate aftermath. It explains so much as to why the Leafs haven't won in over 50 years and it's shocking how a few corrupt men could take down a winning institution. Great read for any leafs fan or hockey fan in general !

[David Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sad and depressing read. And it was surprising to discover a number of factual errors given that the author is already a highly qualified hockey reporter. On page 300, he makes reference to the Habs winning the cup in 1972. That was Boston's year. I assume he meant 1971. Back to my opening statement, the goal of this book seems to be to tear down any sentimental notions of the magic year of 1967 in Leafs memory much the same way that Punch Imlach tore down the Leafs to spite the very players who made him a champion.

[Dave Cottenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story shared by Cox and Stellick is far more than just the tale of the ‘67 Toronto Maple Leafs. ‘67 is really the tale of the downfall of a once mighty franchise that was destroyed by those in management who were too self-absorbed to get out of their own way. In many ways, the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in spite of themselves and provided a significant shock to the league. In all of the glory of ‘67 the darkest corners of Leaf history are also explored. A fantastic journey through a bygone era.

[Howie · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding breakdown of the 67 Leafs and what happened to them.....great read 📚

[Teebz Hbic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for '67 can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing to me. A look back at the 1967 Leafs reads more like an extended newspaper column by Cox. My preference is for the lesser known The Last Hurrah by Stephen Cole.

What Cox and Stellick do reasonably well is to illustrate how the Maple Leafs were already in decline at this point, and how mismanagement and greed in the front office would lead to 46 years of losing and dysfunction. A worthwhile read but a bit rushed and unfocused.

[Matthew Steinhiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a hockey fan I was interested in this book and upon reading it I learned about one of the great teams and franchises in hockey history. Was a great book!

[Rainey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for the Random House Canadian Reading Bingo Challenge. It was a sports book. Not really my cup of tea but it was well written.

[S. Kuzyk]

Journalistic style with lots of I info on the last cup win for the Leafs.