1952–53 Toronto Maple Leafs season



The 1952–53 Toronto Maple Leafs season was Toronto's 36th season in the NHL. The Maple Leafs finished 5th in the league and missed the playoffs.

Regular Season
The Toronto Maple Leafs had the first English game broadcast on November 1, 1952 versus the Boston Bruins with Foster Hewitt calling the action. Conn Smythe, the Leaf's managing director, sold the Leaf's television rights for a paltry $100 a game.

On January 1, 1953, Boston's Dave Creighton scored two goals versus Toronto but then broke his leg in a tussle with Fern Flaman. Creighton missed 25 games and George Sullivan was recalled from the minors. During the same game, in a fight with Milt Schmidt, Leafs captain Ted Kennedy fell and suffered a broken collarbone and torn shoulder ligaments. Kennedy would miss the remainder of the season and the Leafs would miss out on a playoff berth by 2 points.

The Maple Leafs had a mediocre performance in the last half of February followed by a five game losing streak to start March. Boston and the Chicago Black Hawks both played well down the stretch and a Bruins 2-1 victory over the Black Hawks on March 8, 1953 was critical for Boston. Despite Toronto winning their last four games of the season, including beating the Bruins on closing night, the Maple Leafs missed the last playoff spot by 2 points. Much of this was attributed to the absence of Ted Kennedy since the New Years Day game against Boston when he was injured.

Game Log
Note: The November 1st game was the first ever broadcast on television in Canada.

Playoffs
The Maple Leafs did not qualify for the post season.

Regular Season

 * Scoring
 * Goaltending

Junior

 * Kirkland Lake
 * Ottawa St Patricks
 * Saskatoon Wesleys
 * St. Michaels College Majors
 * Toronto Marlboros
 * Winnipeg Monarchs

Awards and Records

 * Calder Memorial Trophy: Gord Hannigan, Runner-up

Video
Highlights of the December 21, 1952 game between the Bruins and the Habs. This was the third game of a tryout for Jean Beliveau (who wears #12) and he scores twice in Montreal's 4-3 win. A first period fight between Jack McIntyre and Bernie Geoffrion (in response to McIntyre breaking Billy Reay's cheek), a dust-up between Milt Schmidt and Maurice Richard as well as goals by Dave Creighton and Beliveau are shown. The end has highlights of the December 7, 1952 Toronto Maple Leafs versus Chicago Blackhawks game including a goal by George Armstrong.