32 NHL Cities in 32 Days: Toronto Maple Leafs

Alexis Bazydola
May 28, 2020
4 min read

The Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Since its opening in 1999, the Toronto Maple Leafs have called Scotiabank Arena home. The arena also is home to the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. With standing room, the venue can seat just over 20,000 fans for a home hockey game. The 65,000 square foot arena also has a 165,000 square foot office tower. Incredible entertainers have also made stops at the Scotiabank Arena including Kiss, Neil Diamond, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin and so many more.

Team History

With the NHL forming in 1917, Toronto was announced as the fourth franchise that would be joining the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Maroons, and Ottawa Senators. While they did not have a name, they were informally called the “Blueshirts” or “Torontos.” They would win the Stanley Cup in their inaugural 1917-18 season.

With legal disputes and financial troubles, the team was bought in 1919 and renamed the Toronto St. Patricks and changing the team colors from blue to green. They would win their second Stanley Cup in 1922. The team continued to struggle financially, however, and in 1927, Conn Smythe bought the team. He renamed the team the Maple Leafs. Later that year, they changed their color scheme to blue and white.

The team moved in to the new Maple Leaf Gardens in 1931. The debut in the arena included the Hockey Night in Canada radio broadcasts that soon became a Saturday night tradition. In 1932, the team won their third Stanley Cup. Throughout the 1930s, the team reached the Finals seven times but were unable to come up with a win.

The 1940s and in to the 50s saw many Cup titles come to the Leafs including 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, and 1951. After this dynasty, the team began to fall in to a slump. They would miss the playoffs in 1953 for the first time since the 45-46 season. With the decline of the Canadian Junior system, the Leafs could not call up the same caliber of talent. Finally, in 1959, the team clinched a playoff spot but lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the Finals.

The team began to rebuild throughout the 60s with the likes of Tim Horton, Bob Nevin, Dave Keon, Red Kelly, among others. In 1961, Conn Smythe sold almost all of his shares to his son, Stafford Smythe, and his partners which included John Bassett and Harold Ballard. Under this new ownership, the Leafs went on to win the next three Stanley Cups in 1962, 1963, and 1964. Although the next few years saw roster moves, the Leafs managed to return to the Finals and win another Cup title in 1967.

The 1970s and 1980s were fraught with ownership and competitive struggles. Many players were traded and the team went through various coach and general management changes. The Leafs dipped in and out of the playoffs but were never able to make any traction. Ballard died in 1990 as the majority owner of the team. Steve Stavro succeeded him as chairman of the Maple Leafs Gardens, Ltd. and governor of the Maple Leafs. Cliff Fletcher was hired as the new general manager.

The beginning of the 90s saw the team begin to rebuild and gain momentum. They would make it to the Conference Finals in 1993 and 1994. By the end of the 90s, however, the team would not be within playoff contention and Fletcher was relieved of his duties. The Leafs moved to a new home at the Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) and return to the 1999 Conference Finals. They lost in five games to the Buffalo Sabres.

The Leafs would capture their first division title in 37 years in the 1999-00 season. For the next few years the Leafs continued to make the playoffs but were unable to make it past the Conference Finals. Once the 2004-05 lockout was over, the Leafs would experience their longest playoff drought in team history. This era was seen with more management and coaching changes.

In the shortened 2012-13 season, Toronto secured their first playoff spot in eight years. While they were able to push their first round series against the Boston Bruins to seven games, they did not advance. They would again miss the playoffs the next season. After the 2013-14 season, Brendan Shanahan became the President and Alternate Governor of the Leafs. In 2015 in another disappointing season, Shanahan called for a “scorched earth” rebuild of the club. In the 2015 offseason, Mike Babcock was named the new head coach and Lou Lamoriello the new general manager.

Roster changes included trading for Kasperi Kapanen and drafting Auston Matthews first overall. Although they began to clinch playoff spots under Babcock, they were not able to make deep playoff runs. In 2018, Lamoriello was not renewed as general manager and Kyle Dubas was named his successor. During the offseason, the Leafs signed John Tavares during free agency. Another disappointing start to the 2019-20 season saw Babcock relieved of his duties and Sheldon Keefe taking over. At the current season’s pause, the Leafs sit at 12th in the league with 81 points.

Fanbase & Traditions

The fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs are more loyal than almost any other fans in the league. With a season ticket waiting list of 10,000 people, the tickets to a Leafs’ game are coveted. Despite the performance of the team from year to year, Leafs fans are loyal.

The Leafs also have many rivalries that mostly stem from their Original Six days. The Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators all have intense rivalries with the Leafs.

Toronto’s mascot, Carlton the Bear, was introduced in 1995. He is known to toss shirts in to the crowd and lead cheers throughout the games.