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A history of Toronto Maple Leafs and the Stanley Cup

15 Jul | BY Betway Insider | MIN READ TIME |
A history of Toronto Maple Leafs and the Stanley Cup
Source: Alamy Stock Photo

Want to know how the Toronto Maple Leafs became the team they are today? Here’s a quick history, including the Toronto Maple Leafs’ last Stanley Cup.

Throughout NHL history, the Toronto Maple Leafs have stood as one of the league’s most storied and successful franchises. Capturing multiple Stanley Cups, they played a central role in helping to define hockey’s early era. 

Founded in 1917 as one of the NHL’s original teams (then known as the Arenas), Toronto quickly established itself as a powerhouse, winning its first Stanley Cup in the league’s inaugural season. The Leafs’ golden eras in the 1940s and early 1960s produced five championships in the ‘40s alone and back-to-back-to-back titles from 1962 to 1964, showcasing a roster full of Hall of Famers and legendary coaches. Those triumphs cemented a legacy of excellence and helped forge the passionate, city-wide devotion that endures today. 

In the modern era of the Toronto Maple Leafs, waves of high-profile ownership changes, marquee draft picks and bold coaching hires have kept Toronto in the headlines. Through it all, the team’s blend of tradition, expectation and unshakeable spirit has made them emblematic of both hockey’s rich past and its ever-evolving future.  

When was the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup? 

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ last Stanley Cup was hoisted on May 2, 1967, defeating their arch-rivals the Montreal Canadiens four games to two in the best-of-seven Final.  

Captained by George Armstrong and coached by Punch Imlach, the Leafs closed out Game 6 at Maple Leaf Gardens with a 3–1 victory, securing the final championship of the Original Six era. Since that day, Toronto has endured the NHL’s longest active Stanley Cup drought, coming close on several occasions but still seeking to end its decades-long lack of title. 

How many Stanley Cups have the Toronto Maple Leafs won? 

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the Stanley Cup numerous times in franchise history, making them one of the most successful clubs in NHL lore. Their championship seasons include their first title in 1917-18, back-to-back wins in 1921-22, and a dominant stretch through the 1940s and early ‘60s, culminating in their most recent Cup victory in 1967. 

So, how many Stanley Cups do the Toronto Maple Leafs have? Their total of 13 victories ranks second only to the Montreal Canadiens’ 23 in NHL history, a testament to Toronto’s storied legacy. Despite numerous playoff runs since their last title, the Leafs continue to chase a 14th Stanley Cup to extend their place among hockey’s elite dynasties. 

Have the Toronto Maple Leafs ever won back-to-back Stanley Cups? 

The Toronto Maple Leafs have not only won back-to-back Stanley Cups, they’ve done it twice! Toronto captured the Cup in 1947, 1948 and 1949, becoming the first team in NHL history to win three consecutive championships. Two decades later, the Leafs repeated the feat by hoisting the Cup in 1962, 1963 and 1964, cementing their place among hockey’s greatest teams. 

What is the Toronto Maple Leafs’ most successful era? 

The Maple Leafs’ first golden age unfolded in the 1940s, a decade in which there were five Stanley Cups for the Toronto Maple Leafs (1942, 1945, 1947, 1948 and 1949). This surge not only delivered multiple championships but also cemented the Leafs as the NHL’s benchmark franchise in hockey’s Original Six period. 

A second peak arrived in the early 1960s, when Toronto engineered another dynasty by winning three straight Stanley Cups in 1961-62, 1962-63 and 1963-64, and then adding another in 1966-67, which was the last of their 13 championships to date. 

This back-to-back-to-back run, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs’ last Stanley Cup victory in 1967, showcased the franchise’s ability to rebuild and reassert itself at the pinnacle of the sport, making the 1960s the Leafs’ second most successful era. 

What is the Toronto Maple Leafs’ record in the Stanley Cup finals? 

On April 14, 1960, the Toronto Maple Leafs were swept 4–0 by the Montreal Canadiens in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final, marking the last time the franchise lost a championship series. Since then, the Leafs’ only subsequent Finals appearance came in 1967, when they won their most recent Cup.  

More NHL from Betway 

Want to explore more key moments in ice hockey history? We’ve put together a list of NHL’s highest point and goal scorers, plus a celebratory piece on the top 10 best NHL draft classes of all time. Or stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app! Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips. 

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Betway Insider

Betway Insider

The Insider is an editorial blog for Betway, one of the best betting sites, featuring sporting insight, intelligent comment and informed betting tips for football betting and all other major sports.

Betway Insider

Betway Insider

The Insider is an editorial blog for Betway, one of the best betting sites, featuring sporting insight, intelligent comment and informed betting tips for football betting and all other major sports.