Ron Hurst, the oldest living Toronto Maple Leaf, passed away on Thursday at 95.
Toronto native played all 64 of his NHL games for the Leafs between 1955 and 1957. He broke in with the junior Toronto Marlboros in 1949-50 for a dollar a day, playing alongside future Leafs captain George Armstrong.
Hurst recorded 12 points in 50 games during the 1955-56 season plus two playoff assists, then saw his NHL time shrink to 14 games the following year as the Leafs’ forward group deepened with Sid Smith, Ron Stewart, Gerry James, Dick Duff, Bob Pulford, Barry Cullen and Tod Sloan, plus a brief return from captain Ted Kennedy.
He also spent time with Toronto’s Rochester farm team alongside future Leafs Bob Baun, Billy Harris, and Bob Nevin.
Known around the dressing room for his physical style, Hurst earned the nicknames “Brawny Ronny” and “The Try Guy” from sportswriters of the era. He credited his father, William Hurst, who was wounded in France during World War I, with instilling that mentality.
A broken leg sadly ended Hurst’s playing career early. He went on to work as a stockbroker and in real estate, and he and his wife, Beryl, bought a farm outside Toronto near Newcastle, Ontario.
In the 1970s, Hurst helped found the monthly NHL Alumni Lunch in Toronto, where he became a regular fixture and speaker.
Hockey video archivist and luncheon director Paul Patskou called Hurst “the kind of aggressive winger the present-day team could use,” adding that he took pride in being the franchise’s oldest living alumnus. We at PHR offer our condolences to Hurst’s freinds and his family.