Tim Horton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tim Horton |
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Horton with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1965
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| Born | January 12, 1930 Cochrane, Ontario, Canada |
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| Died | February 21, 1974 (aged 44) St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Toronto Maple Leafs New York Rangers Pittsburgh Penguins Buffalo Sabres |
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| Playing career | 1949–1974 | ||
Miles Gilbert "Tim" Horton (born January 12, 1930 – died February 21, 1974) was a famous Canadian ice hockey player. He played as a defence for 24 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Tim played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players ever. Tim Horton also started the popular Tim Hortons restaurant chain. He passed away at age 44.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Tim Horton was born in Cochrane, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Ethel May and Aaron Oakley Horton. His father worked for the Canadian National Railway. Tim had one brother, Gerry.
His family moved a few times when he was young. In 1935, they moved to Duparquet, Quebec. Then, in 1938, they returned to Cochrane, Ontario. In 1945, they moved to Sudbury.
Tim Horton's Hockey Career
Starting Out in Hockey
Tim Horton grew up playing ice hockey in Cochrane. He also played in a mining town near Timmins. The Toronto Maple Leafs team signed him in 1948. He then moved to Toronto to play junior hockey. He also went to St. Michael's College School.
Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Two years later, Tim became a professional player. He joined the Toronto Maple Leafs' farm team, the Pittsburgh Hornets. This team was part of the American Hockey League. He played most of his first three seasons with Pittsburgh. His first NHL game was on March 26, 1950.
Tim joined the NHL again in 1952. He stayed with the Maple Leafs until 1970. During this time, he helped the team win four Stanley Cup championships.
Tim was known for his incredible strength and calm play. He was a tough and reliable defenceman. He did not get many penalties, even though he was a strong player. He was also good at carrying the puck. In the 1964–65 season, he even played as a right wing for the Leafs.
Tim played in seven National Hockey League All-Star Games. He was chosen for the NHL first team All-Star three times. He was also selected for the NHL Second Team three times.
From 1961 to 1968, Tim played in 486 games in a row. This is still a record for the Leafs team. It was also an NHL record for a defenceman for a long time.
Other players respected Tim Horton. Chicago Black Hawks player Bobby Hull said Tim used his strength and talent to stop opponents.
In 1962, Tim set a Leafs record for points by a defenceman in the playoffs. He scored three goals and 13 assists in 12 games.
Later Years in Hockey
In March 1970, the Maple Leafs traded Tim Horton. He went to the New York Rangers. He played the rest of that season and all of the next with them.
In 1971, the Pittsburgh Penguins picked him up. Even at 41 years old, he signed a big contract. He played 44 games for the Penguins.
In 1972, Punch Imlach of the Buffalo Sabres brought Tim to their team. Imlach used to be the Leafs' general manager. Even though Tim was 42 and had poor eyesight, he helped the Sabres. In 1973, his play helped the Sabres reach the playoffs for the first time. He signed another contract with them.
While playing for the Leafs, Tim wore the number 7 jersey. This number was also worn by King Clancy. In 1995, the team honored both Horton and Clancy. In 2016, the Leafs officially retired the number 7 for both players.
In Buffalo, Tim wore number 2. This was because Rick Martin already had number 7. Both numbers have also been retired by the Sabres.
Tim Hortons Doughnut Shops
In 1964, Tim Horton opened his first Tim Horton Doughnut Shop. It was in Hamilton, Ontario, on Ottawa Street. He added some of his own recipes to the menu. By 1968, his doughnut shops had grown into a very successful business. Before this, Tim also had a hamburger restaurant and a car dealership in Toronto.
After Tim Horton passed away in 1974, his business partner, Ron Joyce, bought out the family's share. At that time, there were 40 stores. Ron Joyce became the sole owner. The chain grew a lot, with nearly 4,600 stores in Canada by 2013. Today, Tim Hortons is part of a big company called Restaurant Brands International. This company also owns Burger King and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.
Ron Joyce's son, Ron Joyce Jr., is married to Tim Horton's oldest daughter, Jeri-Lynn Horton-Joyce. They own Tim Hortons shops in Cobourg, Ontario.
Tim Horton's Passing
Tim Horton passed away on February 21, 1974. He was driving his sports car on the Queen Elizabeth Way in St. Catharines, Ontario. The night before, he had played a game in Toronto against his old team, the Maple Leafs. He was driving back to Buffalo.
Tim Horton was laid to rest at York Cemetery in Toronto.
After Tim's death, his business partner Ron Joyce took over the Tim Hortons chain.
Personal Life
Tim Horton was married to Lori Michalek in 1952. They had four daughters. Tim was also a Freemason, belonging to a group called Kroy Lodge No. 676 in Thornhill, Ontario.
Awards and Achievements
- Named to NHL first All-Star team in 1964, 1968, and 1969
- Named to NHL second All-Star team in 1954, 1963, and 1967
- 1961–62 – Stanley Cup champion
- 1962–63 – Stanley Cup champion
- 1963–64 – Stanley Cup champion
- 1966–67 – Stanley Cup champion
- 1977 – Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame after his death
- 1982 – Inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame after his death
- 1996 – His number 2 jersey was retired by the Buffalo Sabres
- 1998 – Ranked number 43 on The Hockey News list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players
- 2004 – Ranked number 59 in The Greatest Canadian list by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
- 2015 – Received the Bruce Prentice Legacy Award from the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
- 2016 – His number 7 jersey was retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs
- In January 2017, Tim Horton was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players in history" by the league.
See also
- List of ice hockey players who died during their playing career
- List of NHL players with 1000 games played
