Dan Maloney hockey player, coach and devastating right punch

On my walk through the peaceful grounds of St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Barrie, Ontario, and with the kind assistance of the cemetery manager, I discovered the grave of hockey legend Dan Maloney.

If Joe Louis was boxing’s greatest right hand, then hockey’s version may well have belonged to Dan Maloney. Drafted 14th overall by the Chicago Black Hawks in 1970, Maloney quickly made his mark as one of the most feared enforcers in NHL history—racking up 1,489 penalty minutes and engaging in more than 90 fights over the course of his career.

But he was far more than just a brawler. A talented left winger, Maloney also tallied an impressive 451 points in 737 games during his 11-year NHL career, suiting up for Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Toronto.

Known as “Snowshoes” for his awkward, high-kicking skating stride, Maloney’s arrival in Toronto came via a blockbuster trade that broke up the beloved Sittler-McDonald-Thompson line—a moment etched in the memory of many Leafs fans. The Leafs acquired Maloney from Detroit for Errol “Spud” Thompson, signaling what many saw as the end of an era at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Leafs acquired Maloney from Detroit for Errol “Spud” Thompson, March 13, 1978. 

After retiring as a player, Maloney stepped behind the bench to coach both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Winnipeg Jets, though neither stint brought much success.

A product of the London Knights, Dan Maloney remains remembered as one of hockey’s toughest, yet underrated, competitors—a man who could fight with the best of them but also make plays and put up points.

Sadly, Dan Maloney died in Barrie, Ontario on November 19, 2018. He was 68. He would posthumously be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a result of an exceptional hockey career.

1950-2018