Todd Gill
Canadian defenceman who played for seven NHL teams over 18 seasons.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Todd Sheldon Gill, born November 9, 1965, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1985 to 2003. He spent the bulk of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but also suited up for the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, and Chicago Blackhawks. Gill was born in Brockville, Ontario, and raised in Cardinal, Ontario.
Gill began his junior career with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), who selected him in the second round (18th overall) of the 1982 OHL Priority Selection. In his rookie season (1982–83), he put up 12 goals and 36 points in 70 games, but went pointless in three playoff contests. The following year, he led all Windsor defencemen with nine goals and 57 points in 68 games, while also racking up a team-high 184 penalty minutes; he added a goal and two points in three playoff games. After that season, the Toronto Maple Leafs picked him in the second round (25th overall) of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Returning to the newly renamed Compuware Spitfires for 1984–85, Gill again led the defence in scoring with 17 goals and 57 points in 53 games, finishing fourth in team scoring, and collected one assist in four playoff games.
Gill made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs in 1984–85, appearing in 10 games and scoring one goal with 13 penalty minutes. The next season, he spent most of his time with Toronto’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the St. Catharines Saints, where he recorded eight goals and 33 points in 58 games; he also played 15 games for the Leafs, notching one goal and three points. In one NHL playoff game that year, he went pointless as Toronto fell to the St. Louis Blues in the Norris Division final, while in 10 AHL playoff games he had a goal and seven points. During 1986–87, Gill split time between the Leafs (61 games, four goals, 31 points—leading all Toronto defencemen in scoring) and the relocated AHL team, the Newmarket Saints (11 games, one goal, nine points). In 13 playoff games, he posted two goals and four points as the Leafs lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the Norris Division final.
In 1987–88, Gill played just two AHL games without a point, spending most of the season with Toronto.
Quick Facts
- Played For
- Toronto Maple Leafs / San Jose Sharks / St. Louis Blues / Detroit Red Wings / Phoenix Coyotes / Colorado Avalanche / Chicago Blackhawks
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Left
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 1
- Weight Lb
- 180
- Ntl Team
- CAN
- Birth Date
- 1965-11-09
- Birth Place
- Brockville, Ontario, Canada
- Draft
- 25th overall
- Draft Year
- 1984
- Draft Team
- Toronto Maple Leafs
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Gill began his junior career with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, where he was selected 18th overall in the 1982 OHL Priority Selection. Over three seasons with Windsor, he led the team's defencemen in scoring and accumulated 184 penalty minutes in his second season. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round, 25th overall, of the 1984 NHL entry draft. Gill spent the majority of his NHL career with Toronto, appearing in over 600 games for the club across 12 seasons. He led Maple Leafs defencemen in points during the 1986–87 season and tied his career high with 11 goals in 1992–93, also setting a career high with 43 points that season. Gill played in the Campbell Conference finals with Toronto in 1993 and the Western Conference finals in 1994. After leaving Toronto in 1996, he was named captain of the San Jose Sharks. He later played for the St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, and Chicago Blackhawks. Gill's final NHL season was 2002–03, during which he appeared in five games with the Blackhawks and recorded one assist. He also played nine games with the Norfolk Admirals, Chicago's AHL affiliate, that season.
Reader's Guide
Todd Gill's NHL career spanned 18 seasons and seven teams, with his longest tenure coming with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was a steady, offensively capable defenceman who twice led Toronto's blueline in scoring and posted a career-high 43 points in 1992–93. Gill's playoff experience included deep runs with the Maple Leafs, reaching the conference finals in 1993 and 1994. After leaving Toronto, he served as captain of the San Jose Sharks and later contributed to playoff teams in St. Louis and Detroit. His time with the Chicago Blackhawks was brief—only five games in 2002–03—but it marked the final chapter of his NHL playing days. Following his playing career, Gill transitioned to coaching, leading the Brockville Braves of the CJHL for five seasons and later becoming head coach of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. His career reflects a durable, journeyman defenceman who adapted to multiple organizations and remained a reliable presence on the ice.
Did You Know?
- Gill was selected 18th overall by the Windsor Spitfires in the 1982 OHL Priority Selection.
- He led all Windsor defencemen in scoring in the 1983–84 season with 57 points.
- Gill was named captain of the San Jose Sharks after being traded from Toronto in 1996.
- He played only five games for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2002–03, recording one assist.
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