TIM HORTON A FEATURE FILM ON THE LIFE STORY OF LEGENDARY HOCKEY PLAYER TIM HORTON T H E P R O J E C T T L O G L I N E A N D HE FOUND ER, MEETS S Y N O P S I S MIRACLE HE CHANGED THE GAME OF HOCKEY. HE While chasing four Stanley Cups, CHANGED OUR Horton ran after the dream life WAY OF LIFE. of a successful businessman. Through struggles as a car salesman to failed ventures in restaurants, Tim Horton had in The strongest man on the ice of front of him all along, what the NHL had dreams bigger than would change the course of hockey. While playing in the history. With a love for coffee, minor league circuit, Horton falls Horton and his wife had crafted a in love with an ice capade and blend of beans in their very own when the NHL comes calling, kitchen that would go on to Horton and his new found love kickstart the Tim Horton's brand pack their bags for Toronto. of nearly 5,000 restaurants. 28 TIM HORTON general history At age 15, Horton and his family moved Although he made the Leafs' reserve list in to Sudbury, where he started playing for the 1947, he was not quite ready for Northern Ontario Junior Hockey the National Hockey League. The following Association's Copper Cliff Jr Redmen in the season (1948–49), he continued to hone his 1946–47 season. Horton was gaining a reputation as a tough defender, but also reputation as a strong defenseman, but also demonstrated his finer skills, earning top demonstrated that he could skate and score honours in the OHA as the league’s best like a forward. A year later he was scouted defenseman. In September 1949, Horton by the Toronto Maple Leafs and signed a was invited to the Maple Leafs’ training contract with the team, which allowed him camp in St. Catharines, Ontario. He made a to attend St. Michael's College to play strong showing at camp, which led to a junior hockey and continue his schooling. contract with the Pittsburgh Hornets, the He began playing on the college hockey Leafs’ farm team in the American Hockey team, the Majors, in the Ontario Hockey League.To prepare Tim Horton for his Association (OHA). Colloquially known as eventual role with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the St. Mike’s Majors, they were also a farm owner Conn Smythe offered him a three- team for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his year contract to play for the Pittsburgh first season, Horton racked up the most Hornets, the team’s American Hockey penalty minutes in the OHA with 137. League (AHL) affiliate. 29 HISTORY CONTINUED Horton made his professional hockey debut with the Hornets in the 1949–50 season. In his second season with Pittsburgh, he was part of the championship team that defeated the Providence Reds for the 1952 Calder Cup.During his stint in the AHL, Horton played a few games with the Leafs, but after his victorious season with the Hornets, he soon found himself playing full-time in Toronto. Between 11 February 1961 and 4 February 1968, he played in 486 consecutive games for the Leafs, a club record that remains to this day. More importantly, he was an integral part of four Stanley Cup–winning teams, including three consecutive victories from 1962 to 1964. On 3 March 1970 he was traded to the New York Rangers, ending a career with the Leafs that spanned nearly two decades and included 1,185 games. A year later, and despite announcing his wish to retire, the Pittsburgh Penguins claimed him in an intra- league draft. He eventually signed with Pittsburgh and played for them until 1972, when he was, once again, picked in another intra-league draft, this time by the Buffalo Sabres. At the time, the Sabres’ coach and general manager was Punch Imlach, Horton’s coach during his glory days with the Leafs. Imlach knew Horton well, and valued the skill and experience he would bring to the upstart franchise in Buffalo. It was in 1974 that Horton's life ended untimely. His legacy lives on today through his family and also what he founded in 1964, Tim Hortons Donut Shops which today exist in nearly 5,000 restaurants across 14 countries. 530 POP CULTURE Founded in 1964, today Tim Hortons has nearly 5,000 locations throughout 14 countries. Primarily found in Canada and Northeastern USA, Tim Hortons is a household name cherished by millions of people. High profile celebrities such as Sidney Crosby, Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber are often seen carrying their favorite cup of coffee from the world famous bake shop. FOUR TIME STANLEY CUP CHAMPION INDUCTED INTO THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME IN 1977 31 .