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Assisting others
The Winter Classic
One of the ways Darryl helps out the community where he played most of his career is by sitting as a board member for the MLSE Team Up Foundation, alongside fellow former Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark. “The whole purpose is to create opportunities for the youth around the Greater Toronto Area,” Darryl explains. “Part of the charity refurbishes rinks, basketball courts and soccer fields. The other part is about raising money to send kids to camps and give them an opportunity to participate in sports.” Sittler has participated in the foundation’s work since its inception. “My role over the years has been more of an ambassador,” he says. Although he isn’t as involved in the hockey side of the Leafs organization as he used to be, Sittler still loves to slap on his skates whenever he gets the opportunity. Since losing his wife to colon cancer 12 years ago, Darryl has also been active with Screen Colons Canada, a charity that raises awareness about the prevalence and preventability of colon cancer while promoting the screening of all Canadians who are eligible through age or risk. He raises funds for the organization through the Darryl Sittler Smart Ass Golf Tournament, which was held the past few years in June at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville. His is also a celebrity ambassador for Colon Cancer Canada.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had the honour of participating in this year’s NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 1, defeating the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in a shootout at a packed outdoor rink in Ann Arbor, Mich. It was the first time the Leafs have been involved in one of the NHL’s outdoor games, and the first one for Sittler. Although Toronto’s team ended up losing both of the NHL Alumni Showdown games to the Red Wings, it didn’t prevent Darryl from enjoying the festivities. “It was a wonderful experience all three days,” he says. “Lanny McDonald, Tiger [Dave Williams] and I took our grandsons down, and they hung out with us, which was great.” The NHL has made a statement of sorts, showing that the climate can be overcome, in many instances, with a bit of mechanical magic, putting on outdoor games in Michigan, New York, and even sunny California this year. Weather still has an influence on the game, however, says Sittler. “The ice can be a little chippy and brittle,” he explains. “But for the most part it was pretty good during our game.” Elements like wind and snow can also play key factors in outdoor games. Fortunately, the weather cooperated for Sittler’s game. “It was a pretty nice day, actually. The sun came out at times,” he says. “The other nice thing was that the benches had heaters on them so they were pretty comfortable. We had six lines, so it wasn’t like you got a lot of ice time, but you got to shoot around with everybody, which was good.”
Hockey’s handyman Although Darryl was able to build an illustrious hockey career over his 15 years in the NHL, it wasn’t his only focus growing up. While playing junior hockey, Sittler was enrolled at Fanshawe College, where he took a construction technology course, following a similar path to his father who worked as a crane operator. Whether it was helping someone take down a wall in a house, build a deck or interlock a stone path, Darryl has always been happy to work with his hands and pick up the tools. “I’ve always been a handyman, doing my own things,” he says. “I don’t do as much today as I did before, but I’ve always enjoyed it. I can do the odd plumbing job – fix clogged pipes, or solder some joints.”
at CMPX 2014 on Thursday, March 20th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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