Former Maple Leafs GM Gerry McNamara dies at age 90

Former Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Gerry McNamara has died at the age of 90.

The Maple Leafs confirmed his death in a social media post on Saturday. The cause of death was not announced.

“Gerry made an enduring impact on the organization, most notably by bringing Börje Salming to Toronto, helping pave the way for future generations of European players in the NHL,” the team said. “As General Manager, he continued to shape the franchise, including the selection of Wendel Clark as the first overall pick in the 1985 Entry Draft.”

McNamara played professional hockey as a goaltender for eight seasons, mostly in the minor leagues, making a total of seven NHL starts with the Leafs in 1960-61 and 1969-70.

He was hired as a scout in 1972 and is credited with bringing Swedish defenseman Borje Salming to the team in 1973.

In October 1981, he was appointed acting general manager after Punch Imlach became ill and officially became the team’s seventh general manager the following June.

In 1985, the Maple Leafs had the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft for the first time in franchise history, and he used it to select Wendel Clark who would go on to become a fan favourite in Toronto.

During McNamara’s reign, the Maple Leafs missed the playoffs three times and only managed to finish above fourth in the five-team Norris Division once. However, the 1985-86 season saw the Maple Leafs sweep the Chicago Blackhawks in a first round upset before taking the St. Louis Blues to seven games in the division finals.

Toronto were a league worst 15-32-9 – including a 15-game winless streak – when he was fired on February 7, 1988.