Hockey star to join fellow midtowner Jeanne Beker and four others for induction
THUMBS UP: Darryl Sittler, left, seen here during the Kitchen Court’s opening in October 2014, is a member of the Canada Walk of Fame’s Class of 2016.
Darryl Sittler is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He’s also in the Sports Hall of Fame, and now he’s been inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame.
The non-profit organization made the announcement Aug. 23, adding Sittler along with fellow midtowner and fashion guru Jeanne Beker, musician Corey Hart, filmmaker Deepa Mehta, actor Jason Priestley and King of Kensington‘s Al Waxman to the vaunted Theatre District walkway.
Sittler spent 16 seasons in the National Hockey League, 12 with the Maple Leafs, and tallied 1121 points (484 goals and 637 assists).
The 65-year-old Bedford Park resident said the induction was “pretty cool.”
“[The Walk] is Canadians from all walks of life and careers, and to be among all of those is really nice,” he said, in a late August phone interview.
He joins his own personal heroes, Terry Fox and Jean Beliveau, which was an even bigger honour.
“Beliveau was my childhood idol,” he said. “Being a Hockey Hall of Fame member I got to know him through some of those events, and sadly he passed away.
“He certainly left his legacy for all Canadians and people around the world. He certainly was a great gentleman.”
While Terry Fox was on his Marathon of Hope in 1980 he passed through Toronto. Before a crowd of over 10,000 people, Sittler presented Fox with his All-Star Game jersey.
“What I was impressed me most about Terry was first of all his courage, but most importantly his humility,” Sittler said. “He has done so much for cancer and cancer research.”
Sittler’s greatest accomplishment on the ice was scoring a record 10 points in a single game on Feb. 7, 1976 against the Boston Bruins. He scored six goals and tallied four assists all on a beleaguered Dave Reece, who was manning the net.
Now, he’s deeply involved in charity work, and staying in touch with Leafs fans.
A star unveiling ceremony will be Oct. 6 and the televised special will air nationally Dec. 18.