Wendy Sittler remembered for contribution to Darryl’s legacy

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Before Darryl Sittler’s retired number went up at Scotiabank Arena a few years ago, he wrote his late first wife Wendy’s name on the blue and white banner in tribute.

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And on Tuesday, as he was honoured for his 10–point game, surely a career highlight for the captain’s wife almost 50 years ago, Wendy had one more vital contribution to his story.

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Darryl had nothing tangible from the 11-4 win over Boston, his stick missing, the full game video lost, his No. 27 sweater’s whereabouts unknown for decades. But Wendy had the good sense to save her complimentary tickets from that night, which Darryl discovered going through her personal effects after she passed from cancer in 2001.

He framed the two West side reds, but upon studying the ducats closer as this Feb. 7 anniversary neared, he discovered some incredible coincidences.

“She was in Section 50 (this anniversary year), seats 13 and 14 (adding up to 27). The game was Feb. 7 (2/7 when you add the month) and the tickets cost 10 bucks.

“When you gave the Gardens attendant your tickets in those days, they ripped them in half, but because she was my wife, they (survived intact).”

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The Leafs would have loved to fenagle the NHL schedule to put this celebration game on Feb. 7 (which would have been another Saturday on Hockey Night In Canada, as in 1976), but it worked out perfectly to be Jan. 27, the last home game before the Olympic break.

“Wendy was a big part of my life, and I’m honoured to bring her into the equation today,” Sittlre added.

The couple were married for 30 years and children Ryan, Meaghan and Ashley have produced six grandkids. Sittler has been happily married to Luba the past 21 years and she has become prominent with Sittler’s work as a club ambassador and a great friend to teammates’ wives.

Keith Pelley, the CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, had his own numerical notes when introducing Sittler in the dressing room Tuesday morning, a clip replayed on the club’s web site.

“He was 27 years old (when he set the record),” Pelley said. “The first year of the Leafs was 1927. Darryl’s birthday is 9/18, that’s 27. And the Leafs totaled 27 points that night on the scoresheet. How about that?”

Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard gifted Darryl and Wendy a sterling silver tea service in a Gardens ceremony a few days later. Sittler says he still has it at home, though he admits he forgets to shine it regularly and it has taken on a black hue.

“Silver is going up in price now,” he teased about cashing it in. “But it’s an heirloom and a honour to get it from Harold.”

Lhornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby

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