Toronto and the Maple Leafs

On December 19, 2017, the Toronto Maple Leafs will celebrate their 100th anniversary. The city of Toronto has embraced the team for all 100 of those years and that love affair is still going strong despite the fact that the Maple Leafs have not won a championship since 1967. To put that in perspective, that was the last year in which the NHL had six teams in the league – now five times as many teams compete for the Stanley Cup, but none for the Maple Leafs since then.

So why does this city hold this team in such reverence?  The answer to this question is best explained in this wonderful book by author and sportswriter Lance Hornby, who has covered the team for the Toronto Sun since 1986. Through interviews, research and his own extensive knowledge of the history of the team, Hornby provides readers answers to this question along with wonderful memories of the team’s iconic former home, Maple Leaf Gardens and some zany stories about the arena and players.

The entire history of the team is covered in the book, including its homes and nicknames before Maple Leaf Gardens opened in 1931 and the opening of the team’s current home, Air Canada Centre. While those are interesting, the reader will especially cherish stories from Maple Leaf Gardens. There are many recollections from former team players and executives. Many of them have a story – Darryl Sitler has a particularly moving one about his run with Terry Fox. Every one of these men are fondly welcomed back as part of the Maple Leaf family, no matter how few games or how many years they were with the team.  

However, some of the best stories come from other people who had long-time connections to Maple Leaf Gardens such as ushers and long-time season ticket holders.  It is through their visions and memories that the reader will truly feel the bond between the Leafs and the city of Toronto. 

For an idea of just how much this team means to the citizens of Toronto, one only needs to hear the story of Mike Wilson, the “Ultimate Leafs Fan” as described in the book. Hornby writes about his collection of over 2000 pieces of Maple Leaf memorabilia and stories behind some of these items. 

Other important events in Maple Leaf Gardens are mentioned in the book, such as the first Beatles concert in 1964 and the arrival of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and the mess that was created when trying to have both teams as tenants. But these are simply minor distractions. The crux of the book is just what the title says – the love affair between a city and its team.  Hockey fans will want to pick this one up, especially Maple Leafs fans, even if they already know most of these stories.  It is a fun, fast paced book that was a pleasure to read – even for this old Minnesota North Stars fan. 

I wish to thank ECW Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Though I don't dislike hockey, I will admit that I'm not a hockey fan.  This book caught my eye because I am interested in Toronto and its history and the Toronto Maple Leafs obviously are part of that history.

The author of this book, Lance Hornby, has covered the Maple Leafs and the National Hockey League as a Toronto Sun beat writer and columnist going on 25 years. An avid historian and member of the Society for International Hockey Research, he has written, co-authored or edited six books, including the Story of Maple Leaf Gardens and Hockey's Greatest Moments. He has appeared on Sportsnet, TSN, CBC and LeafsTV.

The Maple Leafs were founded in 1917, known as the Toronto Arenas.  Under new ownership, the club was named the Toronto St. Patricks in 1919.  In 1927 the club was purchased by Conn Smythe and renamed the Maple Leafs.  They were one of the "Original Six", one of six NHL teams to have made it through the league during the Great Depression.  They have won 13 Stanley Cups, second only to the 24 championships of the Montreal Canadiens.  They last won the Stanley Cup in 1967 and fans have been waiting 50 years, the longest current streak in the NHL, for them to win another.

I found the stories in this book interesting.  They were short and bite-sized and covered things such as the beginning of the Leafs, the Harold Ballard years, playing in Maple Leafs Gardens and then the Air Canada Centre (ACC), super fans, employees, players past and present, and more.  There are stories and quotes from the players, employees and fans.

The last chapter lists the Leafs' top 100 by numbers ... for example:

3 - the number of rinks the Leafs have called home (Mutual Street, Maple Leaf Gardens and the ACC)
6 - the number of overtime periods of the longest Leafs playoff game (April 3 to 4, 1933)
11 - the number of "Smiths" who have played for the Leafs
47 - NHL teams the Leafs have played against, including defunct clubs
79 - the number of game-winning goals by Mats Sundin, the club record
97 - the number of games by Tim Horton in the playoffs, the most played by a Toronto defenceman

As a non-fan, I found this book interesting.  If you are a Maple Leafs' fan, you'll probably love it!

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

100 years of love, celebration, heartbreak, and even parades
On December 19, 2017, the Toronto Maple Leafs officially turn 100. In the spirit of the centenary celebrations, Toronto and the Maple Leafs explores the city’s relationship with its most beloved sports team. No matter how many times the Jays and Raptors make the playoffs, it’s a Leafs game that still brings the city together on a cold Saturday night and fuels the talk shows all summer. But why are fans so absorbed by a team that has not won a Cup in 50 years?
Veteran Leafs and NHL columnist Lance Hornby gives readers an insider’s perspective on how the pulse of the city and team became one through two world wars, the Depression, the zany Harold Ballard years, and, until recently, dysfunctional hockey operations. Toronto and the Maple Leafs includes insights and stories from Mayor John Tory to Joe Fan; from influential voices of the Leafs, such as Foster Hewitt and Joe Bowen, to the ushers, cleaners, and ticket scalpers. Not to mention a funeral director who performs Leafs-themed services.
An unforgettable book about the good teams, bad games, and bizarre times of this franchise’s history, this is the perfect companion for every Leafs fan.

Being a newcomer to all things Canadian, I have been looking for books that help me to understand the people, their likes and dislikes, their culture and the like. As a sports fan in my own country, I have taken the attitude of "let's get to know their sports, too" and, here we are...

This book was released to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Leafs. And what a package it is. As an outsider, there was some much information for me to devour - from the team's beginnings, the successful years (and not-so successful years) and the fans who support them regardless of the results. What is also brought to my attention was the history of Maple Leaf Gardens and the connection to the city.

In summing up, this is almost a love letter from the author to the team (and city) - but it is also the voices of generations of players, fans, workers, volunteers and officials that make this book required reading if you are a Leafs fan.


Paul
ARH