Former Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks forward Jim Pappin has died at the age of 82, the Maple Leafs announced. The club’s statement read:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Pappin. Jim played 5 seasons in Toronto, winning the Stanley Cup in 1964 & ’67. Named one of the 100 Greatest Leafs, he scored the Cup-winning goal and lead the team in scoring in ’67. Our thoughts are with his family & friends.”
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Pappin played parts of five campaigns in Toronto, scoring 54 goals with 46 assists in 223 regular-season games. Somewhat of a late-bloomer, Pappin didn’t make his NHL debut until the 1963-63 season, when he was 24. For as successful as Pappin’s Toronto career was, given the two Stanley Cups, his career would take off dramatically after a trade to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1968. The veteran, now 29, put up 70 points in 75 games in his first season with Chicago, more than doubling his previous best of 32. He would remain an elite point-producer with the Blackhawks, culminating in a career-best 41 goals and 51 assists in 1972-73.
Following the 1974-75 season, Pappin was traded to the California Golden Seals, spending one season there before concluding his NHL career as a member of the Cleveland Barons in 1976-77. All told, Pappin would notch 278 goals and 295 assists in 767 career games spread over 14 seasons, along with another 33 goals and 34 assists in 92 playoff games.
Everyone at Pro Hockey Rumors sends their condolences to Pappin’s loved ones.
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