Canadian Press
September 5, 2006

TORONTO (CP) - Hap Day, Red Kelly and Borje Salming will have banners raised in their honour prior to the Toronto Maple Leafs' home opener Oct. 4, the NHL club announced Tuesday.

Banners previously raised feature Syl Apps, Ted Kennedy, Turk Broda, Johnny Bower, King Clancy, Tim Horton, George Armstrong, Charlie Conacher, Frank Mahovlich and Darryl Sittler.

Other banners hanging high above Air Canada Centre ice honour the contributions to the team by Ace Bailey and Bill Barilko, who are the only players who have had their numbers retired - Bailey's 6 and Barilko's 5. The Leafs only retire numbers of distinguished players who have died or had their career shortened due to tragic or catastrophic circumstances.

Day was an important figure in the organization for more than 30 years. He's the only man to have served as captain, coach and general manager.

Day was an original Maple Leaf when the team was founded in 1927. He was captain of the first Stanley Cup-winning Leafs club in 1932 five months after Maple Leaf Gardens opened , and he coached the team to five championships in the 1940s.

Day, born in Owen Sound, Ont., in 1901, died in 1990. He'll be represented Oct. 4 by his son, Kerry.

Kelly amassed the most playoff points of any Maple Leaf during the 1960s, when as a centre he added four Stanley Cup rings to the four he had earned as a defenceman with Detroit. He was named most gentlemanly player in the NHL four times including 1960-61 with the Leafs.

Kelly combined hockey with being a member of the House of Commons from 1962 to 1965. When he coached the Leafs from 1973 to 1977, he at one time placed small pyramids in the dressing room and under the player's bench in the belief his players would be positively influenced.

Kelly, 79, born in Simcoe, Ont., lives in Toronto.

Salming was a hockey pioneer in that his move from Sweden to Canada in 1973 helped open the European talent tap to the NHL. During his 16 years with the Leafs, the agile defenceman earned enough points, 768, to sit fourth today on the club's all-time points list. He remains the all-team leader in assists with 620.

Salming was twice runnerup in voting for the NHL's best defenceman. He was named to the first all-star team once and to the second team five times.

Salming, 55, resettled in his homeland after his hockey career to run a clothing business and is a frequent visitor to Canada.

Day and Kelly wore No. 4, and Salming wore No. 21.