Born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1914, Walter “Turk” Broda would join the Maple Leafs 22 years later.
Unlike most pro hockey players, who earn their nicknames at some point during their careers, Walter was known as Turk since childhood, having been given the moniker, because his freckled face resembled that of a turkey’s egg.
Originally property of the Red Wings, Turk was purchased from Detroit for the price of $7,500. Considered to be a steep price during the Great Depression, the deal turned out to be an incredible bargain.
Over his first seven seasons, Broda would only miss four games and in his career, he would play more games in goal than any other Maple Leaf, suiting up for the second most playoff games in club history along the way.