Mark Kirton, a former NHL player and advocate for ALS treatment, has died at the age of 67. The news was shared by former teammates of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday evening. Kirton was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in 2018. Despite his diagnosis, he aimed to maintain a normal life, which included working as a real estate agent.

Kirton became a prominent voice for ALS awareness, striving to educate the public about the disease that affects over 3,000 Canadians. Darryl Sittler, a former captain of the Maple Leafs, expressed his condolences, stating, "After such a long, hard-fought brave and gruelling battle, may he rest in peace. Mark is an inspiration to us all. God bless him."

Throughout his battle with ALS, Kirton advocated for improved access to medications and financial support for patients and their caregivers. He shared his heartbreak over the struggles faced by families dealing with the disease, particularly after the passing of his former teammate Borje Salming from ALS in 2022. Kirton remarked, "It breaks my heart that anyone and their family should have to go through this. Such hopelessness and so hard to stay positive, even though there are some slow-progression meds in the field."

He urged others to raise awareness, saying, "Make noise every time you hear the words ALS. Be loud and try to make a difference. Sooner or later, the more people know about this, then help will come all at once, like a cavalry, and our government will have to take notice."

Kirton also called for a better system for qualifying for clinical trials, faster drug approvals, and increased government support for home care. He emphasized the need for a focus on finding a cure for ALS, stating, "More than anything, after 100 years, we need to focus on finding a cure."

In support of Kirton’s advocacy, every NHL team contributed a fan experience package to raise funds for ALS research during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. Chris Kotsopoulos, a former Leaf, remembered Kirton as a fighter, saying, "He fought with everything he had for many years. A good man has left us."

Born in Regina, Kirton was a 5-foot-10 center who was drafted by the Maple Leafs in 1978. He played a total of 266 games in the NHL for Toronto, Detroit, and Vancouver, concluding his career with the Leafs’ farm team in Newmarket. Former teammate Greg Hotham noted, "No one fought this disease harder than Kirts. He will be remembered for his incredible zest for life, his love for his family, and his incredible determination to find a cure for ALS."