Carl Brewer 1938-2001

Carl Brewer #12: 1938-2001 A fleet and feisty defenseman, Carl Brewer was named to three all-star teams in the 1960s, first team in 1963 and second team in 1960 and 1965. He earned three successive Stanley Cup rings with the Leafs, ending in 1964. His career then went full circle. He quit the Leafs after that championship year due to sour relations with coach Punch Imlach.  While away from the Leafs Brewer played for the Canadian National Team until he was traded along with Frank Mahovlich to the Detroit Red Wings in 1969.  Carl left the NHL again in the early 1970s after a brief stint with Saint Louis when he joined the Toronto Toros of the WHA. He later completed a comeback at age 41 under the very same coach, with the Leafs, appearing in 20 games in 1979-80. After he left the ice, Carl became known for his fight for retired NHL players to collect their pensions, which eventually led to the arrest and imprisonment of former NHL Player Agent Alan Eagleson in 1995. Most recently, Carl was showing up as a guest at Sports Cards Shows in the Toronto area, he was usually the only guest not charging money for his signature, and all proceeds from 8x10 photo sales went to charity. Carl died in his sleep on August 26, 2001 in Toronto after a weekend vist at the farm of former Hockey Night In Canada host Brian MacFarlene.