The Big M — six Stanley Cups across two great dynasties in Toronto and Montreal.
Francis William Mahovlich was born in Timmins, Ontario in 1938. Toronto Maple Leafs signed him in 1956 and he won the Calder Trophy as best rookie in 1958. He won six Stanley Cup championships — four with Toronto (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967) and two with Montreal (1971, 1973). He scored 533 career goals. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981 and named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. He was one of the most physically imposing forwards of his era — his combination of size, skating ability and scoring touch was described by Bill Gadsby as the best player he ever played against. The strain of playing in Toronto, where media expectations were extreme, contributed to a nervous breakdown during his Maple Leafs career — a story that highlighted the psychological pressure professional athletes faced in an era with no mental health resources. He later became a Canadian Senator.
Becoming the first player in NHL history to score 40 goals in a season for three different teams (Toronto, Detroit, and Montreal).
How They Played
Mahovlich was a powerful left winger known for his exceptional skating ability and devastating shot. At 6'0" and 205 pounds, he combined size with surprising speed and agility, making him difficult to defend against. His long, smooth stride and ability to accelerate quickly made him a constant breakaway threat.
Lasting Impact
Mahovlich was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981 and is remembered as one of the most complete power forwards of his era. His combination of goal-scoring prowess and championship success established him as one of the game's all-time greats.
Career Honours
- Stanley Cup 6x (1962,1963,1964,1967,1971,1973)
- Calder Trophy (1958)
- Hall of Fame (1981)
- NHL 100 Greatest Players
| Team | Period | GP | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 1956–1968 | 720 | 296 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 1968–1971 | 210 | 89 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 1971–1974 | 193 | 89 |