In a town that has produced many hockey greats, Toronto Maple Leafs great George "Chief" Armstrong stands out, both for his success on the ice and for his character.
Armstrong was honoured Sunday with a ceremony at the Big Nickel, where his banner was raised as his family, friends and fans looked on. It then moved on to the Garson Arena, where it will be placed permanently.
Paul Hendrick, a Sudbury native and host on Leafs TV, said banners honouring Armstrong and other team legends are being delivered to the players' hometowns across the country.
"This weekend marks the first time banners from the Air Canada Centre have ever been outside of our arena in Toronto," Hendrick told the crowd of about 100 at Dynamic Earth.
"During the 2016-2017 NHL campaign, the team will create new banners to hang in Air Canada Centre to pay tribute to the players that have had their numbers retired and honoured.
"It will last throughout the season, the 18 original Air Canada Centre banners will be delivered to the hometowns that produced the greatest players in franchise history."
Beginning his career in 1946, Armstrong earned a full-time role with the Leafs by 1951, becoming the first person of First Nations descent to score an NHL goal. He became captain in the 1957-1958 season, helping lead the team to four Stanley Cups in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967.
"Between signing with the club and finally hanging up his skates (in 1971), George would play more seasons, more regular season games, more playoff games, wear the 'C' for more seasons and captain the Maple Leafs to more Stanley Cups victories than any other player in team history," Hendrick said.
When he became captain, Armstrong was honoured by the previous captain, whose jersey No. 10 had not been worn since he retired.
"In a time honoured Maple Leaf tradition, a very special number was bestowed upon the young Armstrong, and it was No. 10, the number that had most recently belonged to the great Syl Apps," Hendrick said. "The three-time cup-winning captain passed his number onto George as Chief's teammates gathered round.
"With great privilege comes great responsibility and George would certainly not disappoint ... George remains the last Leafs captain to play his entire career in Blue and White, becoming the fifth-highest scorer in team history along the way."
While Armstrong wasn't able to attend Sunday's ceremony because of personal reasons, his sister, Lillian McCourt, said the honour means a lot to him.
"I've always been proud of him, but this is another step in the same direction,” McCourt said. “And I'm really happy and my family is happy. We're sorry he's not here but that can't be helped ... He's the greatest brother you could every want."
It was a big event for the family when her brother signed with the Leafs, especially for his father, a lifelong fan.
"So that day was a (dream) coming true,” she said. “He was very happy he played for Toronto."
They used to trek to the old Maple Leaf Gardens to watch him play, McCourt said, including a game when the team won the cup.
"That was fun,” she said. "Champagne was flowing and my husband got to carry the Stanley Cup up to the car, then we all went out to George's place."
While he was a star in the NHL, McCourt said her brother used to come home every summer until he got married to work at a lumber yard.
"He liked that. He wanted hard work."
Ward 8 Coun. Al Sizer, an avid Leafs fan, told the crowd that Sunday's event was a "unique homecoming for one of Sudbury's greatest treasures, George Armstrong.
"We're all thrilled to be here for such a special occasion, and it's wonderful to note that our own Garson Arena will become the permanent home for the official and original Air Canada Centre banner, where it will display No. 10 for generations of young players to come," Sizer said.
Whenever he travels to a Leaf game, Sizer said he's always proud to see Armstrong's banner hanging from the ACC rafters.
"And now it's going to have a permanent home here in Garson for all of us to enjoy," he said. "For us to have a moment to recognize his Sudbury roots, well, even the Hab fans in the crowd have to admit that's pretty incredible.
"He certainly exemplifies our hard work ethic, never quitting and a strong sense of community, all are characteristics of this city, our Greater Sudbury, that make us what we are."
And while he couldn't attend Sunday, Hendrick read a message Armstrong gave him to deliver.
"Thank you so much for this incredible honour, to have my banner finally home in Boland's Bay and Sudbury. It means a great deal to me. Thank you again to the Toronto Maple Leafs and thank you always to my hometown."
