Former NHL forward Mark Kirton has died at the age of 67 after a battle with ALS, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced Sunday.
Kirton debuted with the Maple Leafs during the 1979-80 season and went on to spend time with the Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks over the course of a six-year NHL career.
The Regina native was diagnosed with ALS in 2018 and founded ALS Action Canada with PALS (Patients with ALS), a patient-led initiative to find a cure, in 2020. The Leafs Alumni Association named Kirton the recipient of the Carl Brewer Memorial Award in recognition of his work in 2022.
Kirton scored 57 goals over 266 career games, including an 18-goal season with the Red Wings in 1980-81.
He was drafted 48th overall by Toronto in 1978, following an appearance at the Memorial Cup with the Peterborough Petes. During his final season with the Petes, Kirton scored 27 goals and 71 points in 68 regular-season games, adding an additional 26 points in the playoffs.
Kirton finished his career with Vancouver in 1984-85, scoring 17 goals and 22 points in 62 games.