TORONTO

Former Toronto defenceman turned Leafs TV commentator Bob McGill is in a Peterborough area hospital after suffering a blood clot-related stroke.

McGill, 55, fell ill Wednesday at his cottage, according to friends. He was able to tweet about his condition early Thursday, wryly noting “survived 705 NHL games and 190 fights, but in for my toughest fight now”, confirming the clot and the stroke.



McGill was conscious and making slight improvement Thursday evening.



McGill ranks eighth in Leaf penalty minutes with 908 after the Edmonton native played more than 300 games here in the 1980s and early ‘90s.

After his NHL career ended with other stops in Chicago, San Jose and Detroit, he was a junior and minor league coach. He successfully moved into broadcasting, doing analysis with the Leafs, but primarily the American Hockey League Marlie broadcasts with partner Todd Crocker, working through the third week in May of AHL playoffs.

He is an active Leaf alumnus who plays in charity games, often visits fans in hospitals, and recently became a grandfather.

LHornby@postmedia.com