The rafters of the Air Canada Centre will get a little more crowded this year with news the Maple Leafs will honour the numbers of two of the team’s most popular former players. Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark will take a place with the likes of Turk Broda, Johnny Bower and Frank Mahovlich as banners bearing their names and likeness are hoisted high above the rink.

Clark served three stints with the Maple Leafs between 1985 and 2000 and is the team’s all-time leader in playoff goals with 34. He scored 260 times and added 181 helpers in 608 games for Toronto. A banner with his No. 17 will be raised on Nov. 22 when the Leafs host the Chicago Blackhawks.

Gilmour played in Toronto between 1992 and 1997 and suited up for one game in 2003. The forward has the most playoff points in team history with 70. Gilmour began his career with the St. Louis Blues and joined the Leafs in a blockbuster trade with the Calgary Flames on Jan. 2, 1992. He had 131 goals and 321 assists in 392 games as a Leaf. His No. 93 will be lifted to the rafters on Jan. 31 when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit Toronto.

According to team tradition, the numbers of Clark and Gilmour will be honoured, but not retired. Only players who died or had their career shortened by catastrophe while a Leaf have had their number retired. Just two players — Irvine (Ace) Baily and Bill Barilko — have met this criteria.

As such, numbers made popular by Leafs’ legends have found new life with later generations of players. The No. 27, shared famously by Frank Mahovlich and Darryl Sittler, has also spent less productive years on the backs of Shayne Corson, Brian Cullen and John Kordic.

Maple Leafs who have had their numbers honoured:
No. 1 Walter (Turk) Broda
No. 1 Johnny Bower
No. 4 Clarence (Hap) Day
No. 4 Leonard (Red) Kelly
No. 7 King Clancy
No. 7 Tim Horton
No. 9 Ted Kennedy
No. 9 Charlie Conacher
No. 10 Syl Apps
No. 10 George Armstrong
No. 21 Borje Salming
No. 27 Frank Mahovlich
No. 27 Darryl Sittler

Maple Leafs who have had their numbers retired:
No. 6 Irvine (Ace) Bailey
No. 5 Bill Barilko[quote]

source: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs...clark.aspx

GSA