Local hockey legend Dan Maloney's funeral mass was held on Monday, just a short walk away from the family home where he grew up on Penetang Street in Barrie.
The longtime NHL player and coach died last week at the age of 68 after a long period of ill health.
“He inspired us so much when we were younger,” said John Murphy, Maloney’s nephew, who delivered a touching eulogy of his uncle to conclude the funeral gathering at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
“That inspiration only grew as he (embraced) the hockey life …he was my hero.”
The funeral mass took place at the hilltop church, the very near spot where Murphy fondly recalled him and his uncle – both quite close in age despite a generation separating them – barrelling down the treacherous Dundonald Hill on bikes as young kids.
“He was such a free spirit,” said Murphy.
Many from the local Barrie area, as well as others from the wider hockey community, came to pay their respects.
Those in attendance Monday included Hockey Hall of Famers Darryl Sittler and Barrie Colts head coach Dale Hawerchuk, as well as former Leafs Pat Boutette, Al Iafrate, Jim McKenney and Bob Nevin.
Locally based former NHLers Greg Hotham, Greg Johnston, Glen Richardson and Jack Valiquette also attended the mass, as did former NHL referee Ron Hoggarth.
Maloney was a fearsome presence on the ice and Murphy referred to his uncle’s “warrior spirt” that guided him, first as a local hockey product, then two seasons with the OHL’s London Knights and on to a 11-season NHL career in Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit and Toronto.
“To know the real Dan Maloney was to know a man of great character,” tweeted former Leafs GM Gord Stellick. “(He had) great integrity, loyalty, passion, compassion, generosity and a wonderful sense of humour.”
While Maloney was considered one of the toughest players of his era, that reputation obscured a talent that saw him post back-to-back 27-goal, 66-point seasons in the mid-1970s.
Maloney followed with two 17-goal seasons with the Leafs and helped them to the memorable upset of the New York Islanders in 1978 Stanley Cup playoffs just two months after being acquired from Detroit.
He soon stepped behind the Leafs bench, first for two years as an assistant and then the head job.
His first season in charge the Leafs missed the playoffs, but the next season saw them post one of the biggest playoff upsets in modern memory when they upended the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round.
The fairy tale run almost went further, but Maloney’s Leafs lost in seven games to the St. Louis Blues.
As Stellick’s comments detailed, many people still connected to the Leafs fondly recall Maloney’s understated kindness and consideration. That kindness was recognized in public postings upon his death.
“I mentioned to him that my grandfather worked with his dad at GE (now closed) in Barrie,” Scott MacGregor said of his time meeting Maloney at Maple Leaf Gardens when he was the Leafs head coach. “He placed his hand on my shoulder and escorted me and my good friend into the Gardens to watch the morning practice. I never felt so grateful.”
Maloney later coached the Winnipeg Jets for three seasons, with prized pupil Hawerchuk at his disposal.
He was an assistant with the New York Rangers in 1992-93, a season before the club broke its Stanley Cup hex.
Maloney was born in Barrie, the youngest of nine children to James (Jim) and Sarah Maloney, a close- knit Irish Catholic family that later grew to more than 20 cousins from his generation.
As a young player, Maloney’s work ethic and dedication were notable but he was not particularly talented until a short spell playing Junior 'B' in Markham as a 17-year-old.
He blossomed in Markham and was picked up by the Knights, where he teamed with Sittler to form one of the OHA’s most feared one-two offensive combinations.
After two seasons in London, Maloney was drafted in the first round (14 th overall) by Chicago.
Maloney’s children Shelley, Tom and Matt, their mother Susanne, grandchildren Connor and Kaitlyn survive him, as do his brothers Conrad and Collum, and a sister Pat McAvoy.
