Syl Apps

Syl Apps was the Bobby Orr of his era and was a true “All-Canadian” boy. He was proficient in several sports. As an undergraduate at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Apps won the pole vault at the 1934 British Empire Games. He returned home to lead McMaster to the Canadian intercollegiate football championship, winning the Vanier Trophy. After graduation, he remained an amateur and finished sixth in the pole vault at the 1936 Olympics. He then began his hockey career which was spent entirely as a center with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His all-around ability was supplemented by long hours of extra work and he was an immediate success as rookie-of-the-year in the NHL. He was an excellent skater and stickhandler, centering the DAD Line (Drillon-Apps-Davidson). He played in the NHL from 1936-48, tallying 201 goals in a lower-scoring era, and winning the Calder Trophy (Rookie-of-the-Year) in 1937, and the Lady Byng Trophy in 1942. During his playing career he began forays into the political arena as well. After his retirement, he became a member of the Ontario Legislature and later was a member of the provincial cabinet, serving as Minister of Correctional Services from 1971-74. He was also inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Personal Best: PV – 4.00 (1936).