Todd Gill (born November 9, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1985 and 2003. He played the majority of his career for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and also played for the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, and Chicago Blackhawks. Gill was born in Brockville, Ontario, but grew up in Cardinal, Ontario.
Playing career
Junior
Windsor Spitfires (1982–85) Gill was selected in the second round, 18th overall selection, by the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL in the 1982 OHL Priority Selection draft. In his rookie season with the club in the 1982–83 season, Gill scored 12 goals and 36 points in 70 games. In three playoff games, Gill was held off the scoresheet.
He returned to the Spitfires for the 1983–84 season, and scored nine goals and 57 points in 68 games to lead all Windsor defensemen. Gill also tallied a team high 184 penalty minutes. In three playoff games, Gill had a goal and two points. After the season, he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round, 25th overall in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.
Gill came back to Windsor for the 1984-85 OHL season, and in 53 games with the newly renamed Compuware Spitfires, Gill scored 17 goals and 57 points to lead the defense in scoring, and was fourth in overall team scoring. In four playoff games, Gill earned an assist.
Professional
Toronto Maple Leafs (1984–96) Gill appeared in 10 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1984–85 season, scoring a goal and recording 13 penalty minutes.
Gill spent most of the 1985–86 season with the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the St. Catharines Saints, and scored eight goals and 33 points in 58 games. Gill also spent 15 games with the Maple Leafs during the 1985-86 season, scoring a goal and three points. Gill appeared in a playoff game for Toronto, going pointless as the Leafs lost to the St. Louis Blues in the Norris Division final. Gill also played in 10 playoff games in St. Catharines, scoring a goal and seven points.
He played in 11 games with the Leafs' newly relocated AHL team, the Newmarket Saints in the 1986-87 season, scoring a goal and nine points. In 61 games with Toronto during the 1986-87 season, he scored four goals and 31 points, which led Maple Leafs defensemen in points. In 13 playoff games, Gill had two goals and four points, as the Leafs lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the Norris Division final.
Gill only played two games with the Saints in the 1987–88 AHL season, earning no points, as he spent the majority of time with the Maple Leafs during the 1987–88 NHL season. Gill appeared in 65 games with Toronto, scoring eight goals and 25 points, while registering 131 penalty minutes, the second-highest total on the team. In six playoff games, Gill had a goal and four points as the Maple Leafs lost to the Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs.
Injuries limited Gill to 59 games during the 1988–89 NHL season, however, he scored 11 goals and 25 points, as the Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Gill suffered through another injury-plagued season during the 1989–90 season, as he appeared in only 48 games, scoring a goal and 15 points, his lowest totals since becoming a regular NHL player. Gill had a solid showing in the playoffs, earning three assists in five games, as the Leafs lost to the Blues in the first round.
He played in 72 games during the 1990–91 season, scoring two goals and 24 points, as the Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs.
In 1991-92, Gill stayed healthy again, appearing in 74 games, scoring two goals and 17 points, however, the rebuilding Leafs missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.
Gill had a very solid 1992–93, as he tied his career high with 11 goals and set a career high with 43 points in 69 games to lead the Leafs defense in scoring, and was fourth overall in team scoring, helping the team qualify for the playoffs. In 21 playoff games, Gill had a goal and 11 points, as the Leafs lost to the Los Angeles Kings in the Campbell Conference finals.
Gill suffered through a tough 1993–94, as he played in only 45 games, scoring four goals and 28 points. In 18 games in the playoffs, Gill chipped in with a goal and six points, as Toronto made the Western Conference finals, where they lost to the Vancouver Canucks.
He rebounded during 1994–95, as in the lockout-shortened season, Gill scored seven goals and 32 points in 47 games to lead the Leafs defense and finished fifth in overall team scoring. In seven playoff games, Gill had three assists as Toronto lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round.