Friends, fans celebrate life of Maple Leafs icon George Armstrong

January 24, 2021 - 11:41am

Take a look back at the life and legacy of Toronto Maple Leafs icon George Armstrong who passed away at 90.

Toronto Maple Leafs fans woke up Sunday morning with broken hearts after learning that long-time captain George Armstrong had passed away at the age of 90.

Armstrong, who holds the record for most games played in a Maple Leafs uniform and was the last man to captain a Stanley Cup-winning team in Toronto, was remembered for being a humble leader and for being an icon to Indigenous Canadians.

Here are some of the many tributes that have been shared on social media.

Opening night a few years ago. George was a very humble and understated man, but I often think about the quiet satisfaction and expression of pride on his face that night. https://t.co/uFu0RsnoVU pic.twitter.com/ewITBjhST2

— Brendan Shanahan (@brendanshanahan) January 24, 2021

RIP Chief. The ultimate leader on and off the ice. You were a role model to so many and it was an honour to have known you. #ForeverALeaf #RIPChief pic.twitter.com/5zXL9BxvXt

— Shayne Corson (@ShayneCorson27) January 24, 2021

https://twitter.com/Dave_Stubbs/status/1353370134946037760

https://t.co/KR0cogkAf3. One of the true characters to ever have played the game Captain George Armstrong has passed and joined his long time roommate Johnny Bower. Winner of 4 Stanley Cups and long time scout with @MapleLeafs he had a wealth of stories. RIP Chief

— Joe Bowen (@PixelOhne) January 24, 2021

How clutch was George Armstrong? The captain was the only Maple Leaf to register a point in each of the Leafs 4 Stanley Cup clinching games. pic.twitter.com/JpcHDr9pHM

— Chris Cuthbert (@CCpxpSN) January 24, 2021

"George didn't like to be in the spotlight, do public signings and appearances, things like that. But when you were sitting with him watching a game, his stories were amazing. A legend. Sad news."

— Former #leafs captain Doug Gilmour on the passing of George Armstrong today.

— Mike Zeisberger (@zeisberger) January 24, 2021

"A true #Leafs legend. George could always make you laugh & always had a smile on his face. He was so good to me when I came in as a rookie in 1970. Sad news. RIP."

— Just talked to former #Leafs captain Darryl Sittler, who hadn't yet heard of George Armstrong's passing.

— Mike Zeisberger (@zeisberger) January 24, 2021

Dave Keon on the passing of George Armstrong: “He will be missed. A great teammate, a great captain, a great teacher. He was a funny guy to be around, the life of the party. He was the last one of us to carry the Cup off the ice and the last to score a goal in a Cup final."

— Lance Hornby

George Armstrong and ⁦@Breeze2Greeze⁩ a waaay back. A lot of class in one pick !! The #mapleleafs organization lost a cornerstone member today. RIP George. #leafsforever pic.twitter.com/j5j7NZ1htj

— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) January 24, 2021

Captains past and future right alongside each other. George Armstrong and ⁦@91Tavares⁩ as we reflect back on George’s passing today. Rod Seiling, the late Bob Nevin and Ron Ellis share that top row too. #leafsforever pic.twitter.com/yubWtUhRwG

— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) January 24, 2021

Had several nice conversations with George Armstrong in the media room at Mississauga's Hershey Centre over the years. Sad that those days are gone. #RIPGeorge

— Steve Lansky (@bigmouthsports) January 24, 2021

I am like thousands of others mourning the passing of the Iconic George Armstrong. Conn Smythe often said the smartest decision he made was to appoint “The Chief” Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ team that would win four Stanley Cups in the 1960’s……1/2

— Gord Stellick (@GordStellick) January 24, 2021

George Armstrong could be arguably the greatest Captain in NHL history. An honour to work with him. Wonderful sense of humour. Very smart in his perspective on what really mattered in life. A larger than life personality who’s modesty led him to to stay in the background. 2/2

— Gord Stellick (@GordStellick) January 24, 2021

Sad day. I'm a third generation Leafs fan and it looks like my kids are going to be fans as well. One of the events that made my paternal Grandfather a Leafs fan was meeting George Armstrong and Johnny Bower when he transferred from the @RoyalNavy to the @RoyalCanNavy . 1/2 pic.twitter.com/b7ZI60ph9l

— Andrew Pepper (@AndrewRPepper) January 24, 2021

Brian Glennie, Eddie Shack, Bob Nevin, Howie Meeker, and now George Armstrong. 5 players on the Leafs Top 100 have gone within a year. Pasted year has been a tough pill to swallow for many sports, but Leafs Nation has been one that has been hit the hardest. RIP #LeafsForever https://t.co/Eqpv44Rv1M

— Nicolas Di Maria (@NicolasDiMaria2) January 24, 2021

Love this picture of George Armstrong and Dave Keon following the Maple Leafs’ Stanley Cup victory in 1967 #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/WDMttJDjq2

— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) January 24, 2021

Very saddened to learn of the passing of George Armstrong. I always enjoyed seeing him at Scotiabank Arena, he had a warm smile and always stopped to chat. rest in peace Captain. pic.twitter.com/cAqT7O0aKD

— Susan Brown (@suebrwn) January 24, 2021

George Armstrong was not only an all time great for the Leafs, and the captain during the most successful era, but he used his own success to champion Indigenous rights in Canada. We salute a true legend on and off the ice. pic.twitter.com/AWTQmbSaMK

— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) January 24, 2021

From one @MapleLeafs captain to another.

On March 22, 2005, George Armstrong is captured autographing then 14-year-old John Tavares' @TorontoMarlies jersey. pic.twitter.com/EFl5k90Uqk

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 24, 2021

https://twitter.com/pmoorman2/status/1353370099990880257

RIP George Armstrong, probably the greatest captain in @MapleLeafs history. Thanks for paving the way for future generations. Sad day in Leafs Nation. #goleafsgo

— Scott Norsworthy (@ScottNorsy) January 24, 2021

On top of having a legendary NHL career as a player, George Armstrong also coached the Toronto Marlboros to 2 Memorial Cup titles in the 1970’s. Here he is in 1973 holding the Memorial Cup, while Bob Dailey and Dick Decloe each hold a leg. Rest In Peace, George. pic.twitter.com/y5xN54AMeS

— OHL History (@OHL_History) January 24, 2021

Sending my deepest condolences to the family of George Armstrong.

Leafs Nation mourns the passing of a great hockey player, a true leader and a wonderful man. pic.twitter.com/sVsWPw7zar

— Mike Ross

A 4 time Stanley Cup champion who scored the last @NHL goal of the Original Six era. George Armstrong was a wonderful ambassador for hockey on and off the ice. A true #LeafsForever legend. https://t.co/lEhwvt9QpP

— Jared Clarkson (@JaredClarksonPR) January 24, 2021