Don Rope

Don Rope was a fantastic prospect out of Winnipeg. The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Rope as a prospect, which must have thrilled Rope who idolized the great Syl Apps.

The Leafs brought Rope out to Toronto to play junior, first with St. Mikes (where he roomed with Tim Horton) and then the Marlies. While with the Marlies he also enrolled at the University of Toronto, playing hockey there, too, as well as soccer. With the guidance of Marlies head coach and Leafs legend Joe Primeau Rope blossomed and helped the team win the Allan Cup in 1950.

"A lot of guys in the pro ranks today don't belong on the same sheet of ice as (Don Rope)," said one writer.

Rope did attend Toronto Maple Leafs training camps, but never did turn pro. He went on to a long to a decade long career playing with the very competitive Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen senior hockey team. He also represented Canada at two Olympic Games - 1956 at Cortina, Italy and 1960 at Squaw Valley, Calif. - winning bronze and silver. He also helped Canada win a silver medal at the 1962 World Championships.

Rope became a high school physical education instructor at Cambridge, Ontario. He was a noted tennis player but, with wif Benita, became a very successful gymnastics instructor. They worked with many of Canada's top young gymnasts including his own three daughters. One daughter, Patti, competed in gymnastics at the 1976 Montreal Olympic games.

Don Rope passed away July 28, 2009.