Former Maple Leafs forward and Toronto native sadly passes away - remembering Ron Hurst

Hurst grew up in Toronto and started his hockey journey close to home, lacing up for the Marlboros beginning in 1948.

He turned pro in 1951, landing with the Saint John Beavers of the Maritime Major Hockey League.

Over the next four seasons his career took him through Ottawa, Charlottetown and Sault Ste. Marie before he finally got the call every kid from Toronto dreams about.

In 1955 Hurst signed with his hometown Maple Leafs, and he wasted no time making an impression.

His NHL debut came on November 13, 1955, on the road against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, and he picked up an assist on a first period goal from Dick Duff.

Just three days later, back on home ice at Maple Leaf Gardens, Hurst scored his first NHL goal.

It is the kind of story that still gives fans chills, a hometown boy scoring in front of the crowd he grew up watching.

He went on to play 64 games across two seasons in Toronto.

After his run with the Maple Leafs ended, Hurst kept playing, spending time with Toronto's affiliate in Rochester through 1958 before wrapping up his career with two seasons alongside the Hershey Bears.

The NHL Alumni Association sent its condolences to Hurst's family, friends and former teammates, remembering a player whose path from the Marlboros to Maple Leaf Gardens captured everything that made hockey in Toronto special during that era.

May he rest in peace.

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