mym had the rare opportunity to speak to a living legend. Ron Ellis’ legacy will extend beyond the number of goals, plays or wins in his hockey career. His life was and continues to be about leaping ‘over the boards’ to face and overcome the challenges that life threw his way.

Sean Collier, mym volunteer, speaks to Ron about the glory days of Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey and more.

Sean: How old were you when you left home to play hockey? Some kids today are leaving home at 15 and 16 years of age, maybe younger to pursue the ‘dream’. Are they prepared for celebrity and success/failure or is that too young an age to be experiencing life on your own?

Ron: I was living in Ottawa this was prior to expansion when it was still only a 16 team league and no draft- playing juvenile hockey. I was 14 years old when a Scout approached my family. It was agreed after a conversation that the following year I would move to Toronto. I left home at 15 to play with the Toronto Marlboros- owned by the Leafs. At that time I was boarded with a family, good family that did everything they could to help me feel welcome but I soon discovered that I was not prepared to be on my own. I was a shy kid and got homesick pretty quick. I remember my youngest brother, who is 14 years younger than me, he was only 1 year old when I left home. I missed the opportunity to grow up with him. Today, players are usually equipped with an agent. In my day we didn’t have agents. I was on my own. The management would contact family – but you could hide a lot of stuff- my home sickness is something that I held in pretty well. The agents now are more involved and hopefully provide more of a support system and encouragement. For me I was in pursuit of a dream and when you have a goal or dream- you reach for it. Overall it worked out well for me and I graduated from the Toronto Malboros, right to the Leafs. I was 19 years old at the time.

Sean, mym volunteer and Ron Ellis

Sean: Being the only rookie to crack the line up in 1963 and then Ace Bailey aksing the Leafs to unretire his number 6 so you could wear it, did being touted as an emerging star and being as successful as early as you were add any unwanted pressure to the “dream”?

Ron: When I joined the club I didn’t feel any pressure- they had won their third Stanley cup in a row. We had a bond because we were Marlies. They welcomed me as a whole. I got on to a pretty good start. I was able to show that I could play. But because there were many veterans there wasn’t a load on me. That changed pretty quickly. The following year was expansion, the draft came in, six new teams and a number of our players went and a number of guys retired. All of a sudden I went from a young guy on a veteran team, to them counting on me to perform. That’s when I started to feel the pressure. I’ve always battled with confidence that was just my make up and personality , I was a perfectionist and all those things weren’t conducive to having a good professional sports career. The pressure started to build early in my career.

Sean: If you had known that the 1967 Stanley Cup was going to be not only your last but the last for the Toronto Maple Leafs (at least for now) would you have perceived it differently or does it mean that much more to you?

Ron: The Stanley Cup is a dream come true for every boy playing in minor hockey. And for me to have my dream come true that was a major step. Its just amazing. I had that opportunity in my third season, I was 21, just a young guy and I cherish that moment. Being the last one in the 16 league made it even more special. My name is on that cup along with others and I’m honored. But we are all ready to pass the torch on!

Sean: One of the biggest challenges that you were faced with was a bout with serious depression. You talk about in your book Over the Boards, that there were times when you would leave work and you would sit in the parking lot in your car sometimes for hours, not wanting to drive off. Three million Canadians suffer from depression. That is essentially ten percent of the population. Are we doing enough to promote awareness and what can be done?

Ron: Depression knows no boundaries. It can hit male or female in the teen age years or later in life. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are the key to recovery. If you are a young person exhibiting the signs of depression, reach out to family for support and ask to see the family doctor. Sharing with a peer group member is probably not the best idea unless they are a trusted friend. If the family support is not available, hopefully there is an adult such as a school teacher or guidance counsellor who would be willing to listen. A school nurse might be a good place to start. The point is though you need to reach out and get help.