Round #1 - Draft Pick #6: Walt McKechnie, Center from London Jr. B
Shortly after being a made a first-round draft choice by the Leafs, Toronto traded him to Phoenix of the Western League. He played the season with the Roadrunners before being sent to the Minnesota North Stars late in the season. Over the next 16 seasons McKechnie played for nine teams including two years with the Maple Leafs, 1978-79 and 1979-80. He had Maple Leaf cards issued in both seasons.
Shortly after being a made a first-round draft choice by the Leafs, Toronto traded him to Phoenix of the Western League. He played the season with the Roadrunners before being sent to the Minnesota North Stars late in the season. Over the next 16 seasons McKechnie played for nine teams including two years with the Maple Leafs, 1978-79 and 1979-80. He had Maple Leaf cards issued in both seasons.
Round #2- Draft Pick #12: Neil Clairmont, Center from Parry Sound Midgets
The Toronto Maple Leafs organization sent Clairmont to play for their Junior B team the Neil McNeil Maroons to gain further experience from 1963 to 1965. After two years with the Maroons, Clairmont moved up to play for the Maple Leafs Junior A team, the London Nationals. Clairmont played with the London Nationals from 1965-67 until he was eventually traded to the Peterborough Pete’s Hockey Club for his final year of Junior A Hockey. Clairmont would never reach the NHL, his highest level of pro would be with the Boston Braves of the AHL in 1972-73 and 1973-74. He would never have a hockey card issued.
The Toronto Maple Leafs organization sent Clairmont to play for their Junior B team the Neil McNeil Maroons to gain further experience from 1963 to 1965. After two years with the Maroons, Clairmont moved up to play for the Maple Leafs Junior A team, the London Nationals. Clairmont played with the London Nationals from 1965-67 until he was eventually traded to the Peterborough Pete’s Hockey Club for his final year of Junior A Hockey. Clairmont would never reach the NHL, his highest level of pro would be with the Boston Braves of the AHL in 1972-73 and 1973-74. He would never have a hockey card issued.
Round #3 - Draft Pick #17: Jim McKenny, Defense from Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons (OHA)
McKenny had difficulty staying in the NHL early in his career and often played forward instead of his usual position on defense. He was called up from the Marlies to play 2 games with the Leafs in the 1965–66 season. He was given two other opportunities to make the Leafs team in 1966-67 during their successful run for the Stanley Cup and the following season, but only played a total of eleven games. However, on Feb. 24, 1968 he scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Boston which was the second of his NHL career. He finally made the Toronto Maple Leafs on a full-time basis in 1969–70 and became one of the Leafs top defensemen for eight seasons. His Maple Leaf hockey rookie card was issued in 1970-71.
McKenny had difficulty staying in the NHL early in his career and often played forward instead of his usual position on defense. He was called up from the Marlies to play 2 games with the Leafs in the 1965–66 season. He was given two other opportunities to make the Leafs team in 1966-67 during their successful run for the Stanley Cup and the following season, but only played a total of eleven games. However, on Feb. 24, 1968 he scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Boston which was the second of his NHL career. He finally made the Toronto Maple Leafs on a full-time basis in 1969–70 and became one of the Leafs top defensemen for eight seasons. His Maple Leaf hockey rookie card was issued in 1970-71.
Round #4 - Draft Pick #21: Gerry Meehan , Left Wing from Toronto Neil McNeil Maroons (OHA)
After being drafted Meehan excelled with Toronto Marlboros junior team and helped the club win the Memorial Cup in 1967. After scoring 31 goals for the CHL's Tulsa Oilers in 1967-68, he played 25 games for the Leafs the next year. In March 1969, he was sent to the Philadelphia Flyers as part of package used to acquire veteran Forbes Kennedy. Meehan would never have a hockey card issued in the Maple Leaf uniform, we have created a 1969-70 Missing Link rookie card.
After being drafted Meehan excelled with Toronto Marlboros junior team and helped the club win the Memorial Cup in 1967. After scoring 31 goals for the CHL's Tulsa Oilers in 1967-68, he played 25 games for the Leafs the next year. In March 1969, he was sent to the Philadelphia Flyers as part of package used to acquire veteran Forbes Kennedy. Meehan would never have a hockey card issued in the Maple Leaf uniform, we have created a 1969-70 Missing Link rookie card.