What better way to start off this blog than by recognizing the five-year anniversary of a truly notable achievement in Leafs history. On December 15, 2001, Tie Domi passed Tiger Williams as the all-time Leafs penalty minute leader. As if that’s not enough to celebrate, the milestone came in a 6-4 win over the dreaded Club de Hockey Canadien–otherwise known as Montreal.
Most people know Tie could play as well as fight. But few people realize how significant of a dual threat he was. Along with his 3,515 career penalty minutes in the NHL (third all-time), Domi hit the double-digit mark in goals three times (including a career-best 15 in 2002-03), and nearly had 30 points in two different seasons!
A check of the numbers reveals that few wingers in post-Original Six history have displayed such versatility. Clark Gillies never had 100 penalty minutes in a season–Domi did that an amazing 15 times! Cam Neely could score and fight, but his 13 years in the league are five short of what the durable Domi accomplished. Keith Tkachuk put up some impressive stats in his Jets/Coyotes days, but he’s tailed off in the last few years; Domi was a consistent threat to pot 10 goals and spend 100 minutes in the sin bin right up until he hung up his skates.
Congrats on a well-done career, Tie Domi. I fully expect to see your 28 take its rightful place next to Darryl Sittler and Frank Mahovlich’s 27 in the Leafs’ collection of honoured numbers.
