The hockey world is mourning the loss of Ron Hurst, a former Toronto Maple Leafs player and the team’s oldest living alumnus, who has passed away at the age of 95.
Hurst, who played 64 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs between 1955 and 1957, was part of an earlier era of the franchise and remained a respected figure among fans and the hockey community long after his playing days ended.
Before reaching the NHL, he was a member of the 1949–50 Toronto Marlboroughs, where he played alongside future Hall of Famer George Armstrong. During that time, Hurst’s early hockey journey reflected a different era of the sport, where players earned modest pay—reportedly just a dollar a day, not including transportation to games.
News of his passing was shared Thursday afternoon, bringing tributes from those who remembered his contribution to the Maple Leafs organization and his place in its history. His death marks the passing of a link to one of the franchise’s earlier generations.
Though his time in the NHL was relatively brief, Hurst remained part of the Maple Leafs family and was recognized as the team’s oldest living former player prior to his death.
He is remembered as part of a generation that helped shape professional hockey during its formative years, contributing to the legacy of one of the sport’s most storied franchises.
Ron Hurst’s passing represents not only the loss of a former player but also the closing of a chapter in hockey history. His memory will live on among fans, teammates, and the broader hockey community.