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Darryl Sittler in an All-Star Legends 2008 in Toronto – by Horge – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Darryl Sittler

Darryl Glen Sittler is a former professional ice hockey player from Canada. He was born on September 18th in the year 1950. Sittler is from St. Jacobs, Ontario in Canada.

Darryl Sittler played n the Canadian National Hockey League as a canter for 15 years. That is from 1970 to 1985. He played for only three teams in the league throughout his career. He spent twelve great seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and concluded his playing career with a two-year stint at the Philadelphia Flyers and his final year at the Detroit Red Wings.

The following is a list of Interesting facts about the NHL legend Darryl Sittler.

1. Darryl Sittler Began Playing Hockey at a Young Age

Ice Hockey is by far the most popular sport in Canada. Therefore, growing up in St. Jacobs Ontario, Sittler like many kids in the country was introduced to the sport. He played minor hockey as a child in a nearby community known as Elmira.

As a junior, he joined the community team known as Junior C Elmira Sugar Kings. Later, the London Knights, (then called the London Nationals) drafted him as a Junior. Sittler played here until he was drafted NHL.

In 1970, Sittler was drafted by the Maple Leafs as the eighth overall. And this is where his journey as a professional hockey player started.

2. Darryl Sittler Was Not a Leaf’s Fan as A Child

Despite being a legend to the Maple Leaf fans, the Sittler admits that he was not a Leaf fan. He says that although his entire family were loyal Toronto Maple Leaf’s followers he was a Montreal Canadiens fan himself.

The first time Sittler went to Maple Leaf Garden was during his debut. This is despite the stadium being just over an hour away from his home in St. Jacobs, Ontario.

3. Darryl Sittler Had a Rocky Start to Life at Maple Leaf

As a rookie, Sittler played a handful of games in his first season and was sidelined most of the time due to a broken wrist bone. In the second season, his wrist issues were still present but played through the pain most of the time. He managed to score a total of 32 points in the season.

In the third season, however, he finally caught a break due to the sale of Jimmy Harrison and an injury to Norm Ullman. Sittler took his chance and scored 77 points for the season, a number he managed to outscore in every subsequent season.

4. Darryl Sittler Holds the Record for Most Points in A Single Ice Hockey Game

A statue of Darryl Sittler In Toronto, Ontario – by Mike –

On February 7th, 1976, Darryl Sittler etched his name into the NHL record books. This was in a game between the Maple Leafs and the Boson Bruins at the Maple Leaf Gardens.

Then, captain, Darryl Sittler put on a magnificent and arguably magical show by scoring ten points in the game. This was a new record for the highest point tally in a single game. The record stands to this day and will take something incredibly special to break.

The leafs won this game 11-4 with Sittler playing a part in all but one goal. He finished the game with 6 goals and 4 assists.

5. The 1975-76 Year Was Darryl Sittler’s Best Playing Year

In the 1975-76 season, Sittler entered into elite status by achieving individual success as well as with his team. In this season he broke the record for the most points in a single game. (discussed above). However, this was but the start of a phenomenal year for Sittler.

Throughout the season, Sittler was in sensational form putting in great performances consistently. On April 22nd, his team played the Philadelphia Flyers. The Leafs won 8-5 thanks in no small measure to Sittler’s five-goal haul. He tied the record for most goals in a playoff game that was held by Maurice Richards. The record has since been tied by Reggie Leach and Mario Lemieux.

Later on, on international duty, Sittler won the Canada Cup with the national team capping arguably his most successful season.

6. Darryl Sittler’s International Career Was Also Successful

Other than his successful club career, Sittler also represented his country. He played in three successful tournaments with the Canada National team. In 1976 at the Canada Cup, and 1982 and 1983 at the World Ice Hockey Championships.

A notable point in his international career was his cup-winning goal in the 1976 Canada Cup final versus the Czech Republic. With this goal, Sittler became an ice hockey hero to fellow Canadians.

7. Despite Retiring, Darryl Sittler is Still Actively Involved in the Sport

Darryl Sittler (far right) signing the book Toronto Maple Leafs’ 50 Unforgettable Moments in Hockey – by Gro012 –

After his retirement, Sittler returned to the sport but in a different but all the more important capacity this time. In 1991, he returned to Maple Leaf as a consultant to the organization. Back then he worked under manager Cliff Fletcher.

Today, Sittler is still with Maple Leafs. He works in public relations for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. This role covers more than just hockey since the organization expanded to other forms of entertainment.

Other than Hockey, Darryl Sitter is also an active member of the Board of Directors of several organizations and charities. Some of these charities include; Colon Cancer Canada, Special Olympics Canada, and Screen Colons Canada.

8. Darryl Sittler Was Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame

Hockey Hall of Fame – Toronto, Ontario (Canada) – by Evan Delshaw –

After his retirement as a professional hockey player, Sittler was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. This was in 1989, four years after retirement. In 2003, he was honored yet again by being inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

As of 2017, he was named as one of the 100 greatest NHL Players in the entire history of the league. These accolades go to solidify Sittler’s status as a legend of the NHL and the sport in general.

9. Darryl Sittler Had the Biggest Disappointment of His Career with the Philadelphia Flyers

On January 20th, 1982, Darryl Sittler was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers at 31 years of age. In his first season (1982-83) he made his fourth All-Star game appearance after a successful season. Consequently, he returned to the flyers for the next season.

Prior to the 1984-85 season, Sittler was all but sure he would play for the flyers for another season. He was even promised to be made captain for the season. However, this was not to be as everything changed on announcement day.

Instead of being officially made the captain, Sittler was instead informed he had been traded to the Detroit Red Wings. This decision had been made by Bobby Clarke who had been appointed newly as the general manager. Sittler went on to describe this incident as the biggest disappointment of his life in his 1991 autobiography.

10. Some of Darryl Sittler’s Family Members Have Also Played Hockey Competitively

An Ice Hockey Match – by Keith Allison –

Gary Sittler, one of Darryl’s five siblings played five games in the World Hockey Association. This was during the 1974–75 WHA season.

The Philadelphia Flyers selected Ryan Sittler in the first round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. Ryan Sittler played hockey at the University of Michigan and three times represented the United States at the World Junior Championships.

Meaghan Sittler, his daughter, competed in four seasons of women’s hockey for the United States at Colby College.