ALS tragically claims the life of another former Maple Leaf.

I am sad to report that another former Toronto Maple Leaf has tragically passed away far too soon.

According to an official announcement from the Maple Leafs organization, former Maple Leaf centerman Mark Kirton has tragically passed away after a difficult 5 year long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the disease more commonly known as ALS.

Kirton was drafted into the National Hockey League by the Maple Leafs who selected him in the third round (48th overall) of the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft and he would make his debut with the organization during the 1979-1980 season. He would go on to play a second season with the Maple Leafs before continuing his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks. In total Kirton would appear in 266 NHL games, scoring 57 goals and adding 56 assists for a career total of 113 NHL points.

This is sadly a tragedy that will hit very close to home for fans of the Maple Leafs who recently saw Maple Leafs legend Bjore Salming fall victim to the same disease. ALS is a disease that has claimed the lives of so many former professional athletes and, in a great display of class, the Maple Leafs have made it clear that they intend to assist in the fight against ALS by encouraging fans to give in honor of Mark Kirton.

Kirton was only 67 years old.

As is always the case in the event of such a tragedy, my most sincere condolences go out to the Kirton family, all of Mark's friends and loved ones, and anyone else who has been impacted by today's terrible news.