TORONTO — Soon, Gordie Howe’s name will no longer adorn the Stanley Cup.
Nor Rocket Richard’s, nor Bobby Hull’s.
Similarly, 14 years from now you won’t be able to find the name Bobby Orr on hockey’s most-hallowed trophy. Nor Phil Esposito, Dave Keon, Jean Beliveau, Bobby Clarke or Bernie Parent. Nor, possibly, the name of any Toronto Maple Leafs player, even though the club won 11 NHL titles after changing its nickname from the St. Patricks in 1927.
The accomplishments of these legendary players and teams are indelibly etched into hockey history for all time, to be sure, but their names grace sportdom’s most cherished chalice only temporarily.