Bill Barilko
William (Bill) Barilko
Born: Timmins, Ontario, March 25, 1927
Died: Cochrane, Ontario, August 26, 1951
Bill Barilko was not known for his offensive talent, yet scored one of the most famous goals in NHL history. On April 21, 1951, Barilko lifted a shot past Gerry McNeil of the Montreal Canadiens for a goal at 2:53 of overtime that won the Stanley Cup for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the off-season, Barilko was killed in a plane crash while on a fishing trip in Northern Ontario. It was 11 years before his body was found and 11 years before the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup again.
Barilko was thought to be on the verge of stardom at the time of his death. A sturdy defenseman and solid checker, he had been summoned from Hollywood of the Pacific Coast Hockey League late in the 1946-47 season and helped the Leafs win a Stanley Cup in each of the first three seasons. Barilko's goal in 1951 capped a Stanley Cup final in which each of the five games was decided in overtime.