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obituary

Allan Stanley, Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman, in 1966.

Allan Stanley, a Hall of Fame defenceman who won four Stanley Cup titles with the Toronto Maple Leafs, has died. He was 87.

The NHL confirmed Stanley's death on its website.

Stanley earned a reputation as an effective defensive defenceman over his 22-season career. The native of Timmins, Ont., started with the New York Rangers in the 1948-49 season and became team captain two years later.

He was traded to Chicago during the 1954-55 season and also played in Boston before landing in Toronto prior to the 1958-59 campaign.

While with the Maple Leafs, Stanley formed a fearsome defensive tandem with Tim Horton. He spent 10 seasons patrolling the blue-line at Maple Leaf Gardens and helped the Leafs to four championships, including the 1967 Stanley Cup title. The Leafs haven't won the iconic trophy since.

Stanley finished his career with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1968-69. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981.

Nicknamed "Snowshoes" for his ponderous skating style, Stanley had 100 goals, 333 assists and 792 penalty minutes over 1,244 regular-season NHL games.

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