Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bob Pulford died at 89, the team confirmed on Monday.
Pulford was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991. He won the Stanley Cup four times with the Maple Leafs in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967. Pulford played 14 seasons with the Maple Leafs, before he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.
Toronto released the following statement on Monday
We mourning the passing of Bob Pulford, one of the all-time greats in Maple Leafs history.
A relentless competition and respected leader, Bob wore the Blue and White with pride and left a lasting mark on the franchise.
Only ten players in Maple Leafs history scored more goals than Bob, and his impact extended far beyond the scoresheet. Renowned for his intelligence, tenacity and forechecking, Bob played a vital role in Stanley Cup championships in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967 — including the Game Three double-overtime game-winner in the 1967 Final.
An honoured member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and named one of the one hundred Greatest Maple Leafs during the club’s centennial season, Bob Pulford’s legacy is forever woven into the fabric of this franchise.
Pulford’s 251 goals and 563 points both rank 11th in Maple Leafs’ franchise history.
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 5, 2026
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Pulford joined the Chicago Blackhawks in 1977 as head coach and general manager. He spent several different stints as head coach and general manager with the Blackhawks, in a truly unique hockey life.
Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz released the following statement:
Following a Hall of Fame-worthy playing career and groundbreaking role as the first president of the NHL Players’ Association, Bob continued to build his legacy in Chicago, where his loyalty to the organization was on display for more than three decades. Whether coach, general manager, senior executive, or even multiple at the same time, Bob wasn’t afraid to serve in whatever role was most needed at the time and take on the different challenges associated with each that seem unthinkable by today’s standards.