
Ron Ellis
Former Toronto Maple Leaf and Mental Health Advocate
Celebrated hockey legend Ron Ellis combined skill and sporting play throughout his 15 year NHL career. Playing his entire professional career for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ellis has become one of the most respected individuals to ever wear the 'blue and white'. After his retirement from professional hockey, Ellis began fighting his battle with mental illness, and has dedicated himself to eliminating the stigma of depression in the workplace.
Celebrated hockey legend Ron Ellis combined skill and sporting play throughout his 15 year NHL career. Playing his entire professional career for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ellis has become one of the most respected individuals to ever wear the 'blue and white'. Ellis totalled 350 regular season and playoff goals and was a key member of the Leafs' 1966-1967 Stanley Cup winning squad.
Born in Ontario, Ellis began his hockey career by joining the Toronto Marlies where he began his preparation for the NHL. Ellis impressed coaches and fans in his first NHL season by scoring 23 goals and maintaining zeal and a solid sense of sportsmanship.
Ellis distinguished himself on the international stage with Team Canada at the 1972 Summit Series where he participated in all eight games. After scoring 32 goals for the Leafs in the 1974-75 season, Ellis retired to pursue other interests.
After a brief return to professional hockey, Ellis returned to retirement and in 1986, began fighting his battle with depression. His dedication to mental health care and awareness has led him to work closely with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, drawing attention to the stigma associated with depression. Ellis went public with his story as the co-writer of his biography, Over the Boards: The Ron Ellis Story.
Currently, he is the director of public affairs for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Founder of the Ron Ellis Team Canada Foundation, a charity that supports various organizations. Ellis has dedicated himself to eliminating the stigma of depression in the workplace, and speaks about his experiences with humour and empathy.
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November 2002Over the Boards: The Ron Ellis Story
In Over the Boards, the inspirational autobiography of one of Torontos most loved athletes, Ron Ellis tells his life story with great candor. He talks about both the peaks and the valleys, and details the great years with the Toronto Maple Leafs and his success with Team Canada 72, but doesnt shy away from describing his challenges with depression, accepting Christianity and adapting to a life after hockey. Over the Boards chronicles a story of challenges and how Ron Ellis was able to face them head on.Theres a positive endinghappily married with two grown children, Ron Ellis is the Director of Public Affairs at the Hockey Hall of Fame, and counsels people from all walks of life who are facing challenges similar to those he has faced.
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