Ron Stewart’s Only NHL Hat Trick Comes In A Perfect Night For Toronto

Ron Stewart built a long and reliable 21-year career in the National Hockey League, suiting up for over 1,300 regular season games and adding another 119 in the playoffs. While he was certainly capable offensively, finishing with 276 goals and 529 points, he was never known as a prolific goal scorer. That made one night in December of 1954 stand out above the rest.

Quick Facts

• Ron Stewart recorded the only hat trick of his 21-year NHL career on December 8, 1954
• He scored all three goals for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens
• Ed Litzenberger scored Montreal’s lone goal—his final goal with the Canadiens before being traded two days later
• Stewart’s goals came in all three periods, including the game-winner in the second
• He finished the night with 3 goals on just one of his rare multi-goal performances
• Stewart went on to play 21 NHL seasons, totaling 276 goals and 529 points
• He won three consecutive Stanley Cups with Toronto from 1962 to 1964

On December 8, 1954, skating for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Stewart delivered the only hat trick of his NHL career and he did it in dramatic fashion. In front of the home crowd, he scored all three goals in a 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, accounting for the entirety of Toronto’s offense.

The Canadiens struck first when Ed Litzenberger opened the scoring early, beating Leafs goaltender Harry Lumley for his seventh goal of the season. It would be Montreal’s only goal of the game and, notably, the last Litzenberger would score for the franchise before being traded just two days later.

Stewart took over from there. Late in the first period, he netted his 10th of the season to tie the game, finishing a play set up by Tim Horton and Rudy Migay. He struck again early in the second period, scoring what would stand as the game-winning goal with assists from Jim Morrison and Joe Klukay. Stewart completed the hat trick in the third period, adding an insurance marker with Klukay and Migay once again contributing on the play.

Although it would be his only three-goal game, Stewart’s career was anything but quiet. From 1952-53 through 1972-73, he played for six NHL teams, including the Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, and New York Islanders. His most successful years came in Toronto, where he was part of a dynasty that captured three straight Stanley Cups from 1962 through 1964.

Top Shelf Trivia: The Toronto Maple Leafs

Test your knowledge of one of hockey’s most storied franchises with this collection of challenging and fun Toronto Maple Leafs trivia covering players, games, and unforgettable moments.

Buy on Amazon

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

Steve Payne Brings the Pain: North Stars Shock Bruins in 1981

The Minnesota North Stars and Boston Bruins were evenly matched on paper during the 1980-81 NHL season, each finishing with 87 points. But when the playoffs began, that balance quickly disappeared. In their best-of-five opening round series, one player made all the difference: Steve Payne.

Game 1 at Boston Garden on April 8 set the tone. Payne erupted for a hat trick, scoring three of Minnesota’s five goals. His biggest moment came just 3:34 into overtime, when he beat Rogie Vachon to seal the win. Payne had already opened the scoring and tied the game early in the third, delivering a complete performance right out of the gate.

Less than 24 hours later, Payne struck again. In Game 2, he piled up four points with two goals and two assists in a wild 9-6 victory. Once again, he solved Vachon twice before the Bruins turned to Marco Baron in relief. Dino Ciccarelli matched Payne with four points of his own, but it was Payne’s relentless pressure that kept Boston on its heels throughout.

Game 3 back in Minnesota brought even more chaos. The North Stars jumped out to a 4-0 lead, with Payne contributing two goals and an assist in the 6-3 win. The game featured four shorthanded goals, three by Boston and one by Minnesota, but the outcome was never truly in doubt. Payne’s late first-period goal stood as the game-winner, putting the finishing touch on a dominant series.

In just three games, Payne racked up seven goals and three assists for ten points, including two game-winning goals. He stayed hot into the next round, scoring twice in Game 1 against Buffalo. Minnesota rode that momentum all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before falling to the New York Islanders in five games. By the end of the playoffs, Payne had compiled an incredible 29 points in 19 games, cementing his place as one of the most impactful performers of the 1981 postseason.

Mirage of Destiny: The Story of the 1990-91 Minnesota North Stars

A deep dive into the remarkable season of the Minnesota North Stars — their playoff run, key moments, and legacy.

Buy on Amazon

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!

Toronto’s “Other Swede” Shines: Inge Hammarstrom’s 5-Point Night Powers Leafs Rout

When discussing Swedish pioneers in Toronto Maple Leafs history, Borje Salming is usually the first name that comes to mind. But during the same era, another Swede quietly carved out a strong NHL career: Inge Hammarstrom.

• Inge Hammarstrom records a career-best 5-point night (1 goal, 4 assists)
• Game played February 12, 1977 at Maple Leaf Gardens
• Toronto defeats the Washington Capitals in a dominant 10-0 rout
• Hammarstrom scores his 18th goal of the 1976-77 season
• Goal assisted by Darryl Sittler and Borje Salming
• Adds assists on goals by Sittler (2), Kurt Walker, and Lanny McDonald
• Bernie Wolfe allows 5 goals on 11 shots before being pulled
• Ron Low gives up 5 more goals on 26 shots in relief
• Mike Palmateer earns shutout with 30 saves
• Sittler and McDonald each post 4-point games (2 goals, 2 assists)
• Ian Turnbull contributes 4 assists
• Only Bob Neely and Palmateer held without a point
• Tiger Williams records a goal and a fight, just missing a Gordie Howe hat trick

Joining the Leafs in the 1973-74 season, Hammarstrom never enjoyed the same spotlight as Salming. Criticized at times for a perceived lack of physicality, he still produced consistently, including a 20-goal rookie season and three additional 20+ goal campaigns over his six-year NHL tenure.

On February 12, 1977, at Maple Leaf Gardens, Hammarstrom delivered the best performance of his career in a lopsided matchup against the Washington Capitals.

The game was effectively decided early. Capitals goaltender Bernie Wolfe surrendered five goals on just eleven shots in the first period before being replaced by Ron Low, who allowed five more over the remaining two periods.

Hammarstrom led the offensive charge with a goal and four assists for a five-point night. His lone goal, his 18th of the 1976-77 season, came late in the first period, assisted by Darryl Sittler and Salming. He went on to add helpers on two Sittler goals, as well as tallies by Kurt Walker and Lanny McDonald.

In goal, Mike Palmateer was flawless, stopping all 30 shots he faced to secure the shutout in the 10-0 victory.

Toronto’s offensive dominance didn’t stop with Hammarstrom. Sittler and McDonald each recorded four-point games with two goals and two assists, while Ian Turnbull contributed four assists. Only Bob Neely and Palmateer were held off the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Tiger Williams nearly completed a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, registering a goal and a fight with Bill Riley, but falling just short of adding an assist.

The King (Borje Salming)

A compelling look at the life and legacy of Borje Salming — one of hockey’s most respected trailblazers and legendary defensemen.

Buy on Amazon

The PDF versions of some of our hockey books are now available for free download: Take a look!