The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the Original Six teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) and are based in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs have a long and storied history, having played in the NHL since 1917.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 13 Stanley Cup championships, last winning in 1967. This ranks them second overall in Stanley Cup wins behind only the Montreal Canadiens, who have 24. The Leafs won their first Cup in 1918 and won three straight from 1947 to 1949 during the Original Six era. Their 13 Cups came in the following years:
- 1918
- 1922
- 1932
- 1942
- 1945
- 1947
- 1948
- 1949
- 1951
- 1962
- 1963
- 1964
- 1967
The Maple Leafs have the longest active Stanley Cup drought, last winning it all in 1967. Their 13 championships are second most behind the Canadiens’ 24 titles.
History of Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Wins
The Toronto Maple Leafs joined the NHL in 1917 as the Toronto Arenas before changing their name in 1919. In their early NHL years, the franchise struggled to find success and stability.
The Early NHL Years
In 1918, the Toronto team, known then as the Toronto Arenas, won the franchise’s first Stanley Cup beating the Vancouver Millionaires 3 games to 2. It was the first Cup win by a Toronto NHL franchise. However, the next few seasons saw multiple coaching and name changes for the club with limited on-ice success.
Conn Smythe Era Begins
In 1927, Conn Smythe purchased the Toronto franchise, renamed them the Maple Leafs, and changed the team colors to blue and white. Under Smythe’s ownership, the Leafs began to find more stability and success.
In 1932, the Maple Leafs captured their second Stanley Cup, beating the New York Rangers 3 games to none. It was Toronto’s first Cup win since 1918.
The Maple Leafs Dynasty of the 1940s
After some lean years during the Great Depression, the Maple Leafs put together a dynasty team in the 1940s once the NHL resumed play following World War II. This era of Maple Leafs hockey was defined by the “Kid Line” of Syl Apps, Teeder Kennedy and Bob Davidson.
In 1942, Toronto defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4 games to 3 to win their third Stanley Cup. They followed up by winning again in 1945, beating Detroit once more 4 games to 3 in a hard-fought series.
Then from 1947 to 1949, the Leafs won three consecutive championships, the first NHL team to accomplish that feat. In 1947, they defeated the Canadiens 4 games to 2. In 1948, they beat the Red Wings 4 games to none. And in 1949, the Leafs beat the Red Wings again, this time 4 games to 3.
The Maple Leafs Continue Dynastic Success into the 1950s
After the departure of Apps and Kennedy, the Maple Leafs rebuilt on the fly and continued finding success in the 1950s behind stars like Teeder Kennedy, Max Bentley, Bill Barilko, Harry Lumley and Al Rollins.
In 1951, Toronto defeated the Canadiens 4 games to 1 to capture their sixth Cup. In 1962, they beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4 games to 2 for their seventh championship.
From 1963 to 1964, the Maple Leafs won back to back titles again. In 1963, they beat the Red Wings 4 games to 1. In 1964, they defeated the Red Wings 4 games to 3 in an epic seven game series.
The Maple Leafs’ Last Stanley Cup (So Far) in 1967
In 1967, the last season before the NHL expanded from six teams to 12, the Maple Leafs won their last Stanley Cup (to date). It was Toronto’s fourth Cup in six seasons during the 1960s.
The Leafs defeated their long-time rivals, the Canadiens, in six games to win the championship. Maple Leafs star Dave Keon won the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP.
Since 1967, the Maple Leafs have yet to return to the Stanley Cup summit. It’s been over 50 years and counting since their last title.
Every Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Season
Here is a summary of every year the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise has won a Stanley Cup championship:
| Season | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1917-18 | Vancouver Millionaires | Toronto wins 3-2 |
| 1931-32 | New York Rangers | Toronto wins 3-0 |
| 1941-42 | Detroit Red Wings | Toronto wins 4-3 |
| 1944-45 | Detroit Red Wings | Toronto wins 4-3 |
| 1946-47 | Montreal Canadiens | Toronto wins 4-2 |
| 1947-48 | Detroit Red Wings | Toronto wins 4-0 |
| 1948-49 | Detroit Red Wings | Toronto wins 4-3 |
| 1950-51 | Montreal Canadiens | Toronto wins 4-1 |
| 1961-62 | Chicago Blackhawks | Toronto wins 4-2 |
| 1962-63 | Detroit Red Wings | Toronto wins 4-1 |
| 1963-64 | Detroit Red Wings | Toronto wins 4-3 |
| 1966-67 | Montreal Canadiens | Toronto wins 4-2 |
Stanley Cup Drought Since 1967
The Maple Leafs 1967 Stanley Cup stands as the franchise’s last championship victory. Since that title, Toronto has yet to return to the Cup final in the 50+ years since.
Here are some key facts about the Maple Leafs’ current Stanley Cup drought:
- Over 50 seasons have passed since Toronto last won it all in 1967
- It’s the longest active Cup drought in the NHL
- The Leafs have appeared in just two Cup finals since 1967, losing both times (to Philadelphia in 1976 and Montreal in 1977)
- The team has had 9 different head coaches and over 75 different starting goaltenders since their last title
For Maple Leafs fans, the long wait for another Stanley Cup victory continues. Given it’s been more than half a century since that last triumphant season, Toronto is hungry for a 14th franchise championship.
Conclusion
In summary, the Toronto Maple Leafs have won 13 Stanley Cup championships in their storied history, which dates back over 100 years. Their first title came in 1918 while part of the old National Hockey Association.
The Leafs saw dynastic success by winning Cups in the 1940s with the Kid Line leading the way. Toronto followed with more titles in the 1950s and 1960s behind stars like Dave Keon and Tim Horton.
But since hoisting their last Cup in 1967, the year of the NHL’s expansion, the Maple Leafs have yet to return to the mountaintop. Their 13 championships rank second only to the 24 Cups won by the rival Montreal Canadiens.
With their rabid fan base, Toronto hopes their current roster led by players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner can end Canada’s longest Stanley Cup drought and add a 14th title to the franchise banner.
