Mark Robert Kirton (born February 3, 1958) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 266 games in the National Hockey League.

Mark Kirton
Born (1958-02-03) February 3, 1958 (age 66)
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings
Vancouver Canucks
NHL draft 48th overall, 1978
Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career 1978–1989

Playing career

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Born in Regina, Kirton grew up in the Toronto, Ontario suburb of Scarborough. He played minor hockey for the Wexford Warriors, then in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League with coach Roger Neilson and the Peterborough Petes, from 1975-76 (with Neilson) to 1977-78 under Gary Green. During his final season, he along with other future NHLers including fellow Scarberian Bill Gardiner, Stouffville's Keith Acton, and goalie Ken Ellacott won the J. Ross Robertson Cup for the OMJHL title over the Hamilton Fincups. They lost in the 1978 Memorial Cup to Kirton's future NHL teammates John Ogrodnick (Detroit) and Stan Smyl (Vancouver) of the defending champion New Westminster Bruins, whom they defeated twice in the round-robin. Kirton was named the tournament's All-Star centre, and won the George Parsons Trophy for most sportsmanlike play.

A month following the Memorial Cup loss, Kirton was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs as the 48th pick, in the third round of the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft, by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played for the Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Vancouver Canucks. He also spent several years in the American Hockey League playing for the minor league affiliates of his NHL teams.

Personal life

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Kirton currently works as a realtor in Oakville, Ontario.

In 2018, Kirton was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).[1] After Kirton's former teammate and mentor Börje Salming was diagnosed with ALS in August 2022, Kirton provided support and guidance to Salming, after being reconnected through Darryl Sittler.[2]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1974–75 Wexford Warriors MJBHL 38 18 29 47 26
1975–76 Peterborough Petes OMJHL 65 22 38 60 10
1976–77 Peterborough Petes OMJHL 48 18 24 42 41 4 6 1 7 0
1977–78 Peterborough Petes OMJHL 68 27 44 71 29 21 12 14 26 14
1978–79 New Brunswick Hawks AHL 80 20 30 50 14 5 0 0 0 2
1979–80 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 2 1 0 1 2
1979–80 New Brunswick Hawks AHL 61 19 42 61 33 17 7 11 18 16
1980–81 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 11 0 0 0 0
1980–81 Detroit Red Wings NHL 50 18 13 31 24
1981–82 Detroit Red Wings NHL 74 14 28 42 62
1982–83 Detroit Red Wings NHL 10 1 1 2 6
1982–83 Vancouver Canucks NHL 31 4 6 10 4 4 1 2 3 7
1983–84 Vancouver Canucks NHL 26 2 3 5 2
1983–84 Fredericton Express AHL 35 8 10 18 8 7 2 3 5 6
1984–85 Vancouver Canucks NHL 62 17 5 22 21
1984–85 Fredericton Express AHL 15 5 9 14 18
1985–86 Fredericton Express AHL 77 23 36 59 33 6 2 2 4 4
1986–87 Fredericton Express AHL 80 27 37 64 20
1987–88 Newmarket Saints AHL 73 17 30 47 42
1988–89 Newmarket Saints AHL 37 4 8 12 18
AHL totals 458 123 202 325 186 35 11 16 27 28
NHL totals 266 57 56 113 121 4 1 2 3 7

References

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  1. ^ Former NHLer Mark Kirton shares brave journey battling ALS
  2. ^ Zeisberger, Mike (November 11, 2022). "Salming creates emotional moment for fellow Maple Leafs legends, fans". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
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