The Summerside resident was recently named one of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top 100 players of all time as part of the franchise’s centennial season.
“As a youngster, first of all it was an honour to be in the National Hockey League, and an honour to play for one of the Canadian teams,” said Thompson, who was ranked 73rd on that list.
Thompson was one of three players with ties to P.E.I. to crack the list. Forward Rick Vaive, who grew up in Charlottetown, was No. 20 and defenceman Dion Phaneuf, who resides in the Kensington area during the off-season, was 88th.
Dave Keon was ranked No. 1.
Played in 1970s
Thompson, who played one game with the Leafs during the 1970-71 season, was an NHL regular with the Leafs from the 1972-73 season until he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings on March 13, 1978.
“If you had the CH (Montreal Canadiens’) or the Maple Leaf on your chest it was an honour to play for those teams,” said Thompson, who was drafted by the Leafs in the second round, 22nd overall, of the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. “I can remember some guys saying that because you played with the Maple Leaf on your chest you should play for half of the money!”
Overall, Thompson recorded 245 points in 365 regular-season games with the Leafs. His best season was in 1975-76, when he registered 80 points – 43 goals and 37 assists.
Memorable night
When asked if there’s one particular highlight that sticks out from his tenure with the Leafs, Thompson immediately answered Darryl Sittler’s 10-point night on Feb. 7, 1976, which still stands as a National Hockey League record today.
“The most amazing night that everybody talks about is the night Sittler got his 10 points,” said Thompson. “To be associated with that (was amazing).
“Other than that, we didn’t have too many highlights in those years.”
Thompson not only got to witness history being made, but was right in the middle of the action. He played on a line with Sittler and Lanny McDonald, and called it “a real treat” to be invited back for the 40th anniversary of the 10-point night last February.
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
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Statistics
Errol Thompson’s stats with Toronto Maple Leafs:
Regular Season
GP G A Pts
1970-71 – 1 0 0 0
1972-73 – 68 13 19 32
1973-74 – 56 7 8 15
1974-75 – 65 25 17 42
1975-76 – 75 43 37 80
1976-77 – 41 21 16 37
1977-78 – 59 17 22 39
Totals – 365 126 119 245
Playoffs
1973-74 – 2 0 1 1
1974-75 – 6 0 0 0
1975-76 – 10 3 3 6
1976-77 – 9 2 0 2
Totals – 27 5 4 9
The Summerside resident was recently named one of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top 100 players of all time as part of the franchise’s centennial season.
“As a youngster, first of all it was an honour to be in the National Hockey League, and an honour to play for one of the Canadian teams,” said Thompson, who was ranked 73rd on that list.
Thompson was one of three players with ties to P.E.I. to crack the list. Forward Rick Vaive, who grew up in Charlottetown, was No. 20 and defenceman Dion Phaneuf, who resides in the Kensington area during the off-season, was 88th.
Dave Keon was ranked No. 1.
Played in 1970s
Thompson, who played one game with the Leafs during the 1970-71 season, was an NHL regular with the Leafs from the 1972-73 season until he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings on March 13, 1978.
“If you had the CH (Montreal Canadiens’) or the Maple Leaf on your chest it was an honour to play for those teams,” said Thompson, who was drafted by the Leafs in the second round, 22nd overall, of the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. “I can remember some guys saying that because you played with the Maple Leaf on your chest you should play for half of the money!”
Overall, Thompson recorded 245 points in 365 regular-season games with the Leafs. His best season was in 1975-76, when he registered 80 points – 43 goals and 37 assists.
Memorable night
When asked if there’s one particular highlight that sticks out from his tenure with the Leafs, Thompson immediately answered Darryl Sittler’s 10-point night on Feb. 7, 1976, which still stands as a National Hockey League record today.
“The most amazing night that everybody talks about is the night Sittler got his 10 points,” said Thompson. “To be associated with that (was amazing).
“Other than that, we didn’t have too many highlights in those years.”
Thompson not only got to witness history being made, but was right in the middle of the action. He played on a line with Sittler and Lanny McDonald, and called it “a real treat” to be invited back for the 40th anniversary of the 10-point night last February.
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
https://www.facebook.com/jason.simmonds.180
Statistics
Errol Thompson’s stats with Toronto Maple Leafs:
Regular Season
GP G A Pts
1970-71 – 1 0 0 0
1972-73 – 68 13 19 32
1973-74 – 56 7 8 15
1974-75 – 65 25 17 42
1975-76 – 75 43 37 80
1976-77 – 41 21 16 37
1977-78 – 59 17 22 39
Totals – 365 126 119 245
Playoffs
1973-74 – 2 0 1 1
1974-75 – 6 0 0 0
1975-76 – 10 3 3 6
1976-77 – 9 2 0 2
Totals – 27 5 4 9
