TORONTO – Former NHL forward Jim Papin, credited with the Toronto Maple Leafs final Stanley Cup-winning goal, has died. He was 82 years old.
Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks announced the deaths on social media on Wednesday.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Jim Papin,” said Maple Leafs. “Jim played five seasons in Toronto, winning the Stanley Cup in 1964 and ’67. Renowned as one of the 100 Greatest Leafs, he scored the cup-winning goal and led the team in ’67. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Later, Blackhawks said: “The ‘P’ in the MPH line scored 444 points in 488 games in Chicago and is 17th for the franchise scorer with 216 goals. Our hearts go out to Jim’s family and friends.”
Papin was credited with Toronto’s second goal in the 3-1 series-final victory over Montreal in Game 6 on 2 May 1967. Linemate Pete Stemkowski replaced it, but allowed Papin to take credit for receiving the contract bonus.
Papin also played for Toronto’s 1964 Stanley Cup Championship team, spending part of five seasons with Maple Leaf.
Trading to Chicago in 1968, he made his most aggressive season with the Blackhawks alongside MPH line mates Pitt Martin and Dennis Hull, completing career highs in 1972-73 with 41 goals, 51 assists and 92 points.
After seven seasons with Chicago, he spent the 1975-76 season with the California Seals and followed the Cleveland franchise in his final NHL season the following year.
In 767 regular-season games in 14 seasons in the NHL, Pappin had 278 goals and 295 assists. He scored 33 goals and 34 assists in 92 playoff games.