Wilf Paiement, born on October 16, 1955, in Earlton, Ontario, carved out a notable, if sometimes controversial, career in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1974 to 1988. A right-winger known for his blend of skill and grit, Paiement played for seven different NHL teams, including the Kansas City Scouts, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite a career that saw him score 356 goals and 458 assists for 814 points in 946 games, Paiement's time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, particularly his 1980-81 season, remains a standout, yet somewhat forgotten, chapter in the team's history.
Drafted second overall by the Kansas City Scouts in 1974, Paiement quickly established himself as a promising talent. After two seasons with the Scouts, the franchise moved to Colorado and became the Rockies. It was with the Rockies that Paiement first showcased his offensive capabilities, including a career-high 41 goals in the 1976-77 season. However, his tenure with the Rockies was also marked by controversy, most notably an incident in 1978 when he struck Detroit Red Wings player Dennis Polonich with his stick, resulting in a 15-game suspension.
On December 29, 1979, Paiement was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with Pat Hickey in exchange for Lanny McDonald and Joel Quenneville. The trade was met with displeasure by Leaf fans, as McDonald was a popular and productive player. Paiement, known for his skill but also his notorious reputation, raised eyebrows upon his arrival in Toronto. Due to the unavailability of his usual number 9, he opted for number 99, becoming the last player before Wayne Gretzky to wear it.
It was during the 1980-81 season that Paiement had his most memorable year with the Maple Leafs. He scored 40 goals and added 57 assists for a career-high 97 points in 77 games. This achievement placed him among a select group of Maple Leafs players who have reached the 40-goal mark in a single season. Despite this impressive offensive output, the team struggled, and Paiement's defensive play was sometimes criticized.
After a less productive season in 1981-82, Paiement was traded to the Quebec Nordiques. He continued to play in the NHL for several more years, but never quite reached the same heights as he did in that one special season in Toronto. He played for the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres before finishing his career in the minor leagues and retiring in 1988.
Despite his impressive statistics and that one stellar season, Paiement's name often gets lost in the annals of Maple Leafs history. Several factors may contribute to this. His tenure in Toronto was relatively short, lasting only three seasons. The Maple Leafs teams of that era were not particularly successful, and individual accomplishments may have been overshadowed by the team's struggles. Furthermore, the controversy surrounding the Polonich incident may have impacted his overall legacy.
Nevertheless, Wilf Paiement's 40-goal season remains a noteworthy achievement in Maple Leafs history. He was a skilled and exciting player who, for one season, provided Toronto fans with a glimpse of offensive brilliance. While he may not be as widely remembered as some other Maple Leafs stars, his contributions to the team, particularly during the 1980-81 season, should not be forgotten.
