Toronto Maple Leafs Community Heroes: Curtis Joseph

Everyone know hows incredible a goaltender Curtis Joseph was. An incredible athlete on the ice, he was a favored son of Toronto Maple Leafs fans for four years from 1998-99 to 2001-2002 and posted a record of 138-97-27-1.

Always known as the embodiment of heart, Cujo's quick wit, charming disposition and lightning fast glove hand made him one of the favorite goaltenders that Leafs Nation has ever seen.

His work off the ice was at least equally spectacular though largely over looked.

A touching story involving Joseph recently came to my attention and is the inspiration for this new series of stories that will be featured here on Bleacher report every Wednesday in the coming weeks.

It comes second hand from a member of a Facebook group called TML Die Hards and was posted by a wonderful young man named Christian Lehmann. Here is the story as it was posted ( a couple of minor edits for spelling etc).

About 10 years ago a guy named Sandy that my step father worked with had a child terminally ill with cancer and all he wanted was a Joseph Jersey to be buried in (he was only 10 or 11).

So they wrote Cjo and he sent them two Jersey's home and away both signed by all the Leafs.

The very next hockey season Sandy bought tickets with a bunch of guys he worked with to go to Montreal on a bus for a Leafs vs Habs game.

On their way to the arena in the elevator who is in it with Sandy? None other than Cujo himself. Out of nowhere he turns to Sandy and asks him if he got the Jersey's and offered condolence's to him for the loss of his son.

He then proceeded to work out Private box seats for Sandy and the 4 others he was with. It had been about 8 months from the time they wrote Cujo to the time he ran into him and he remembered their story like it was yesterday.

This is the kind of story that we just don't hear enough about.

The history of Curtis Joseph's charity work didn't begin or end with this touching story. Joseph remains the only Toronto Maple Leaf player to have ever received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice as well, has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.

Still actively involved in charity work, Joseph founded "Cujo's Kids", a private suite that is used to entertain children from the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto as well as "Cujo's Crease", a special room that was built to help aid children with long term pain issues at the same hospital.

Once asked about his status as a hero and role model to so many youth, Cujo replied, "It isn't hard to deal with. I never have to think twice about doing anything.”