The NHL announced on Monday that Jim Gregory had passed away. Gregory spent 10 years as the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, with many regarding him as one of the best Leafs GMs in their history. Gregory was 83.
Hockey Hall of Famer, former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager and NHL executive Jim Gregory has passed away at age 83.
Our deepest sympathies to his family and his hockey family. https://t.co/e8o8UybBPs pic.twitter.com/qRmhrvclyJ
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) October 30, 2019
Jim Gregory Passes Away at 83-Years-Old
Gregory served as the Leafs GM from 1969 to 1979. He was both preceded and proceeded by Punch Imlach, another all-time-great in the Leafs organization. Gregory was one of the first Leafs general managers to have to serve under Harold Ballard, perhaps the most notorious Leafs owner to date. In fact, many would argue for Ballard’s case as the worst owner in league history.
Plenty of stories exist detailing Ballard’s eccentric nature, for lack of a better term. One story notes that during a rampant effort to increase profits, Ballard removed a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, replacing it with more seating for fans. When asked about why he did it, Ballard replied, “She never gave me anything. Never paid any taxes for me.”
In 1969, Ballard’s most notorious story began. He was accused of countless crimes, including fraud, theft, and tax evasion. That was the same year that Gregory took over as general manager. In August, just before the season was set to start, Ballard was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison. He would only end up serving three years, though, with his son controlling the Leafs in his absence.
Gregory’s Reign
This prison sentence removed an overbearing presence from Gregory. He was free to do what he needed to better the team. He took full advantage of this, reeling in three future Hall-of-Famers in the three years that Ballard was in prison.
In the 1970 NHL Draft, Gregory drafted Darryl Sittler with the eighth overall pick. Sittler would go on to play in 844 games with Toronto, 1096 NHL games total and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
In 1973, Gregory made two of the greatest moves in recent Leafs memory. He drafted Lanny McDonald with the fourth overall pick in the NHL Draft and signed Borje Salming, a free agent out of Sweden. Both players would make their NHL debuts the following season and would, eventually, be named to the Hall of Fame as well. They’re two of the most memorable Leafs from the 70s, with McDonald’s mustache becoming iconic throughout the NHL.
Overall, Gregory set a 334-324-130 record in his 10 years with Toronto. The team made the postseason eight times, including each of Gregory’s last six years in Toronto. They also finished in the top-three of their division in five of Gregory’s 10 years, on the backs of the three stars that the general manager brought in.
While Gregory’s name will often be associated with the craziness of Harold Ballard, his influence on the Leafs was second-to-none. John Shannon reflects on Gregory, saying, “The word GREAT is thrown around all too often, but not with Jim. His impact on hockey was tremendous. He made his mark and made the game better, with a smile on his face.”
Jim Gregory always stood by his friends…always wanted to make the game better…always fought the good fight.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) October 30, 2019
Main Photo:
