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NHL to honour Maple Leafs legend Dave Keon during All-Star Weekend

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Cooper Godin
December 8, 2022  (7:49 PM)
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When the NHL descends on South Florida for the 2023 All-Star Weekend, they plan to hold a 'Legends Lunch', similar to what the NBA has done for years and in doing so, will honour Toronto Maple Leafs legend, Dave Keon.

"100%. They're borrowing it, if not stealing it, yes. It'll happen as part of All-Star festivities, will be called the 'Legends Lunch' and they will honour Dave Keon as 'Man of the Year'. It's being presented by the National Hockey League Alumni, in conjunction with the NHL," Dreger said.

He went on to add, "Not unlike the NBA with some of the greats of the past, Bobby Orr will be there, Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and they're also trying to involve as many great NHL players from the '60s as possible. Again, in honouring Dave Keon for 'Man of the Year'."

After years of a frosty relationship between Keon and the Maple Leafs organization, the 82-year-old returned to Toronto and was honoured with a statute in 'Legends Row' outside Scotiabank Arena back in 2016.

What started Keon's feud of-sorts with the Maple Leafs dated back to 1975 when then-owner Harold Ballard refused to sign him to a fair contract, but also wouldn't release him. With no contract, Keon went to play the next four seasons in the WHA and returned to the NHL in 1979 with the Hartford Whalers.

In 1,296 career games, Keon had 968 points (396 goals, 590 assists), as well as 117 penalty minutes. He won the Stanley Cup four times with the Maple Leafs, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986 and as part of their centennial celebrations, he was named as one of the 100 greatest players in NHL history.

Source: Insider Trading - TSN