One 14 to the Next

 

Justin Dahan (HV)

 

It was a day of celebration as the surviving members of the 1967 Stanley Cup champions, the Toronto Maple Leafs, was brought to the Air Canada Center . This was the first time the ’67 team was brought back together; most memorable of the returnees was Dave Keon. Keon feuded with former Leafs owner Harold Ballard which resulted in him leaving the NHL and the Leafs in 1975 when he went to play for the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the WHA.

One of the main reasons Keon hasn’t returned to make amends with the Leafs organization is because he feels his jersey should be retired. Unfortunately for him the Leafs don’t feel the way. As to whether Keon has taken the first step into amending his relations with the Leafs, Keon says, “This is one night.” Who knows what will happen next in the saga of the Leafs and Dave Keon.

As for now his number is being worn by Leafs forward Matt Stajan. Stajan knows the importance of Dave Keon. Growing up, Matt’s father Mike Stajan idolized Keon. For his fathers 40th birthday, Matt bought him an autographed Keon jersey which is framed and holds a permanent spot in the Stajan household. Matt’s father is not the reason he wears the number 14. He wears 14 because his uncle wore it while playing baseball and hockey. His uncle, Robert, lost his battle with cancer at 22 years of age. “It’s just my way of honoring him” said Stajan about his number choice.

Obviously the number 14 means a lot to Stajan but should he give it up for Keon? Matt says he would, “If no one else had worn the number since he had left, I would have found another number when I started playing here. If they (The Leafs) decided to retire it, I would choose another number.” When Matt played his first NHL game in 2003 he wore the number 41 because Jonas Hoglund wore number 14. When Hoglund left the following year to play in Europe it opened a spot for Matt to grab his beloved number 14. Matt is the 14th Leaf player to wear the number 14 since Dave Keon left the Leafs.

Stajan himself is enjoying his third full year in the NHL. He has set his personal best for assists with 22 and points with 30. Stajan has recorded one short handed goal and one power play goal this season. He has been very impressive defensively and is one of the best two way forwards the Leafs have, he is plus 5 so far this season.

Photo: Matt Stajan © NHL PR