Taking the Maple Leafs out of the Cup – Some Personal Thoughts – Hockey Writer – Maple Leafs History

When I was a little boy—I think eight or nine now—my father took me to visit Maple Leaf Gardens. He's usually a quiet guy, but I remember today he was extremely excited. Walking along the street outside the Gardens, he told me about the Toronto Maple Leafs and the great hockey games there. He was happy to show me this iconic Canadian building.

However, the most memorable thing about that day was that Maple Leaf Gardens was locked down. We can't get in. My father knocked loudly on the front door until the janitor came and opened it to see what he wanted. “Why isn't Maple Leaf Gardens open?” he asked the man. “It should be open so people can come and visit,” my father pleaded.

But the story isn't over yet. My father convinced the janitor to let him take his son—me—on a tour of the arena. The space is all ours. Then we, dad and son, walked through the vast emptiness of this historic place. I remember being impressed that day by the unusual warmth with which my father spoke. Obviously, Maple Leaf Gardens is special to him and hockey is special to Canada.

Hockey is special to Canada

And, hockey is special to Canada. So when my phone updated with the news that the Toronto Maple Leafs would be removed from the Stanley Cup if they didn't win it again in 12 years, I reacted immediately. My first thought was – of course – the Maple Leafs could win this year. Or the next one.

But what if they don't? Would it still be a real Stanley Cup if one of Canada's two great Original Six teams no longer had any lasting memories? It shouldn't be like this. To be honest, this confuses me a bit.

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My logic is that every 13 years, in order for the Stanley Cup to be a “living” trophy, a ring is removed from the trophy and forever enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Even though the Hall of Fame is less than a 10-minute walk from Scotiabank Arena, this seems wrong. There must be a better way than risking the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadiens being removed from the Stanley Cup.

wonderful Canadian memories

Maybe my ideas are close to Don Cherry’s Canadian nationalism. But hockey does look Canadian to me.

On September 28, 1972, Paul Henderson scored a brilliant goal against Vladislav Tretiak to win the Summit Series.

The Roach Carrier Story “Hockey Sweater” I found for free at a thrift store and couldn't believe my luck.

At the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, Canada defeated the United States 5-2 to win the gold medal, with a lucky Canadian dollar buried in the center of the ice.

Related – Vladislav Tretiak: Master of Goalkeeping

And, the Toronto Maple Leafs are etched on the Stanley Cup.

Come on, Maple Leafs. Let's make sure this year's historic NHL team's name is re-engraved on the Stanley Cup.