Hall Of Famer Syl Apps Dies

Syl Apps, a Hockey Hall of Fame member, parliamentarian and philanthropist, died Thursday. He was 83.

Born C.J. Sylvanus Apps in Paris, Ontario, Apps was an exceptional athlete at McMaster University, where he captained the football team to an inter-collegiate title in 1936. A two-time Canadian champion pole vaulter, Apps was the British Empire champion in 1934 and placed sixth at the Berlin Olympics in 1936.

That year, Apps joined the Toronto Maple Leafs. He led the team in scoring and was the first winner of the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year. He played seven seasons with the Leafs before enlisting in the Canadian Army. He also played three years after his return from World War II, retiring after the 1947-48 season.

Known as a modest, quiet individual, Apps was captain of the Leafs for most of his career, which he finished with 201 goals and 432 points in 423 games. He also had 25 goals and 54 points in 59 career playoff games.

In addition to the Calder, Apps won the Lady Byng Trophy in 1942 for gentlemanly play. He was twice a first-team and three times a second-team all-star center and played on three Stanley Cup champion teams.

Apps was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. In 1996, the Ontario Sports Legends Hall of Fame named a trophy after him, which recognized Ontario's athlete of the year.

Apps first ran for public office in 1940, narrowly losing a bid for a federal seat. He was named Ontario Athletic Commissioner in 1946 and for 11 years, 1963-74, Apps was a Conservative member of the provincial parliament and served in Ontario's cabinet.

Apps was married to Mary Josephine and they had five children: Joanne, Robert, Carol, Sylvannus Jr., and Janet.

Syl Jr., had a nine-year NHL career with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings. A grandson, Darren Barber, won an Olympic gold medal in 1992 as part of Canada's eight rowing crew.

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