Maple Leafs Mourn the Loss of Former Forward After Courageous Battle With ALS

After a lengthy battle with ALS that lasted for 7+ years, Mark Kirton, a former member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, tragically passed away.

Drafted by the Leafs back in the third round during the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft, Kirton spent 6 years in the NHL split between Toronto, Detroit, and Vancouver before retiring after the 1984-85 season.

The Regina native made his NHL debut during the 1979-80 season and wound up playing in 13 games with the Leafs before being moved to Detroit during the 1980-81 season.

Upon his arrival in Detroit, Kirton finished the season with 18 goals and 31 points in just 50 games, before potting a career-high 42 points the following year. He would finish his NHL career in Vancouver, where he accumulated a grand total of 57 goals and 113 points in 266 games.

He continued playing hockey beyond the NHL and spent 4 more seasons in the AHL with the Fredericton Express and Newmarket Saints, where he found more success, including a 27-goal and 64-point season in 1986-87 with the Express.

Kirton was diagnosed with ALS in 2018 and then founded ALS Action Canada with Patients with ALS (PALS) in 2020 in an effort to find a cure. For his courageous efforts, the Maple Leafs rewarded him with the Carl Brewer Memorial award, which recognizes individuals for their community service.

As part of their post on social media, the Maple Leafs attached a link to alsactioncanada.org, which is a patient-led charitable organization that puts all their efforts in trying to raise awareness and funds to help finding a cure.