Timothy James Ecclestone (September 24, 1947 – March 2, 2024) was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Atlanta Flames from 1967 to 1978. He played 692 career NHL games, scoring 126 goals and 233 assists for 359 points, and twice scored 50 points or more in his career. After retiring, he served as assistant coach of the Flames for three seasons.
Ecclestone in uniform for the Detroit Red Wings in the 1971–72 NHL season.
Ecclestone went on to play three more seasons with the Blues and was named to the only All-Star Game of his career in 1971.[1] That same year, he was chosen to be his team's representative to the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA). The Blues management became unhappy with his and Red Berenson's robust relationship with the union,[6] and ultimately traded both players to the Detroit Red Wings on February 6, 1971.[1] Although Ecclestone recorded career-highs in goals (18), assists (35), and points (53) during the 1971–72 season,[1][6] the Red Wings were perennial losers at the time and he requested to be traded after four seasons. The Wings accommodated his request and he was dealt to his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs on November 29, 1973.[1] Following a shoulder injury in his second season in Toronto, the Leafs traded Ecclestone to the Washington Capitals who in turn traded him to the Atlanta Flames, on the same day.[1] Following a knee injury during the 1977–78 season he served as an assistant coach for the Flames. Ecclestone retired at the end of the season but remained with the Flames as an assistant coach until they relocated to Calgary in 1980.[6]
Later life
Ecclestone remained in the Atlanta area following the departure of the Flames organization, as part owner of sports bar named Timothy-John's Restaurant and Lounge in Sandy Springs, Georgia, a restaurant he helped open during his years as a Flames assistant coach. In 1990, he opened his own sports bar, called T.J.'s Sports Bar and Grill, in Alpharetta, Georgia.[6]
Personal life
Ecclestone was married to Susan (Sue) Gail Dayus until her death from ovarian cancer in July 2012.[6][11] They met in high school and had two children together: Sandi and Mark.[8][11] He resided in Roswell, Georgia, during his later years.[11]
Ecclestone died on March 2, 2024. He was 76, and suffered from lung complications due to rib and clavicle fractures sustained in a fall prior to his death.[7][8]
