Lifelong Maple Leaf Ron Ellis has died at 79 years old.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have confirmed some sad news on Saturday.

In an announcement released via the team's official social media platforms, the Maple Leafs have announced the passing of lifelong former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ron Ellis. Ellis was 79 years old.

Here is the official statement from the Maple Leafs, unedited and in full:

We mourn the loss of Ron Ellis, a lifetime Leaf whose legacy is woven into the fabric of the blue and white. Ron played his entire NHL career for Toronto. He was one of only five Maple Leafs to skate in more than 1,000 games for the club while also scoring the fifth most goals in team history. Ron was a true gentleman of the game who will be deeply missed.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

Ellis entered the National Hockey League during the 1963-64 regular season as a member of the Maple Leafs and would spend his entire career with that organization playing until the 1980-81 regular season.

Ellis will be best remembered for his role in helping the Maple Leafs capture the Stanley Cup in 1967, the last time they claimed the championship, as well as his role in the famous 1972 Summit Series against the Russian national team.

I would like to offer the Ellis family as well as all of Ron's friends and loved ones my condolences.