Dave Keon's Revenge: Hartford Whalers at Toronto Maple Leafs 1979 Harold's Halloween Horror!

It was Halloween night 1979 and the WHA refugee Hartford Whalers enjoyed tricks and treats at Maple Leaf Gardens -- at the expense of both the Leafs AND team owner Harold Ballard. Making this game particularly noteworthy was the NHL return to Toronto of two hockey legends in a game featured on “Hockey Night in Canada.”

For 51-year-old Gordie Howe it was an early stop in his year-long farewell tour around the NHL. For 39-year-old Dave Keon, it was a return to face a team that he’d left under bitter circumstances.

You see, In 1975, After a 15-year career and four Stanley Cups in Toronto, Keon was deemed by the Leafs to be washed up.

BALLARD, the tyrannical owner of the Leafs, publicly criticized Keon’s leadership in the 74/75 season and, when Keon's contract came up for renewal at year's end, Ballard made it clear he was done as a Leaf. Ballard, who controlled Keon's NHL rights, told him to try to sign with another NHL team, but then set Keon’s compensation price so high that no other team would sign him.

Keon then jumped to the WHA to escape Ballard’s wrath.

In the WHA, Keon proved he was still an elite player -- as NHL opponents would learn upon his return to the NHL in 1979.

Keon remained bitter with Ballard and The Leafs and his NHL return to Maple Leafs Gardens was highly anticipated. It would prove to be a frightful Halloween night for Ballard and a glorious night of redemption for Keon and the Whalers.

Produced by Mark Willand

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