Maple Leafs Forever
71© Duchess O’Blunt, 2010; all rights reserved.
Maple Leaf Fan
Before you all go a little nuts on me. Yes, I know they have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967 Ok? So what if we are the team with the longest standing Stanley drought! I'm still their number one fan!
Fan or not, I know:
- They need some goal tending magic
- They need better offense
- They need better defence
- They need to be a "team"
I also think that Toronto fans are the reason why the coaches and managers don't really have to worry about Lord Stanely. Those crazy fans show up regardless.
What can I say, we are Canadian - we love our hockey!
Hockey Night In Canada
What all of our great Canadian Hockey stars have in common is a love of the game, and parents dedicated to early mornings and scraping together enough money to buy the equipment and get them to their games.
Kudos to the parents all over the world who sacrifice their sleep for the "love of the game" - whatever that game may be.
Canada has produced some of the greats in hockey. Just to name a few:
- Gordie Howe
- Bobby Hull
- Maurice Richard
- Frank Mohavolich
- Jacques Plante
- Jean Beliveau
- Tim Horton
- Guy Lafleur
- Phil Esposito
- Bobby Orr
- Marcel Dionne
- Larry Robinson
- And my all time personal favourite, even though he was never a Leaf - Wayne Gretzky
We are big on hockey.
Back when you only got three channels on TV, Saturday night saw hockey on one of every three TV's in every neighborhood. Everyone knew the theme song and many dropped what they were doing to watch the game when they heard it. Talk the next week was all about the game! Of course, there were only 6 teams.
New Theme for Hockey Night In Canada on CBC
Hockey Night In Canada Has New Theme Song
For years, CBC played the theme song for Hockey Night in Canada that many of us grew up with. It created quite a stir when they decided to sell that music to TSN.
We saw some great Canadian talent when they created a competition to provide Canada with their "second national anthem".
It has taken some time for me to get used to it, but change happens. It's also a little more difficult for me to keep up with the stats for so many teams. (gotta love the internet!)
Favourite Leaf?
Who is your favourite among these Leafs Hall of Famers?
See results without votingWhy I am a fan
Well you might wonder. Especially if you know how bad I am at remembering statistics. Heck I see the number 28 on a Leaf's jersey and I still think Tie Domi - no wait - isn't he a figure skater? Change is hard on the elderly, and sometimes it takes us awhile to adjust. This year has seen many changes that I have to adjust to. We have a relatively new coach and lots of new faces and it looks like they need some time to adjust. So, while they are adjusting I'll try to remember who now wears 28. (Colton Orr - another tough guy)
But I sit with my three men and I listen to them rattle off the stats, swilling a brew and munching on anything they can get their hands on. And I listen with a smile, knowing I'm not going to remember them, but pleased that this is something we can enjoy together. I know enough about the game to yell "Hey! that was definitely offside!" or "What do you mean, he ran that goalie - he was pushed!".
I take some pride in learning the game. No let me rephrase that. I take pride in learning to love the Maple Leafs play the game. I expect that Hockey fans everywhere are raising their eyebrows and thinking "What a crazy dame!"
Let me tell you something. When you are a mother of children in sports, you learn the meaning of the word loyalty. You watch your team and you know in your heart of hearts they just are not going to win against THAT team tonight, but you sit in the stands and you cheer like there is no tomorrow.
If spending time with the sports crazy men in my life means I learn to love the game. Then I learn to love the game. And watch out if you come to watch it with us and you are a Sens fan or a Habs fan! No Siree Bob, not in MY house!
Leafs Information
This does not appear to be a valid RSS feed.Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Humor
I cautioned my son not to leave the Maple Leaf Tickets on the windshield where everyone could see them. Didn't he just forget anyway? And didn't someone just break into his car like I told him?
"What was stolen" I asked.
Nothing, they left me two more Maple Leaf Tickets!
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Great hub for the sports fans! Whooo hooo!
Thank folks. GO LEAFS GO!
Duchess, what a great article and yes, children always need a parents support especially when a game does not come out the way they hoped. They learn how to play fairly and be a good sport at home. Having a great coach who expects the same from them only enhances character and respect.
I alway wanted to see a Leaf game live I never had the chance. Living in a hockey town growing up Friday and Saturday night we hung out at the arena if we weren't on the ice we were watching. I played Ringette we had a blast. Almost makes me homesick...almost.
Amen, Duchess. Thanks for this wonderful Hub. I am a raving Toronto Maple Leafs fan. It is genetic. I wrote about the Hockey Night In Canada, the Leafs & Foster Hewitt in a Hub entitled, Hometown.
@Nancy's Niche. I'm in 100% agreement with you about children in sports. Learning good sportsmanship, and having a great coach does so much in teaching children so many things. Sometime though, we overly enthusiastic parents can ruin all that no? Sports parents need to learn as much as the children do in some cases.
@Tammy, I have never been to a live Leaf's game either. Although I must try and get the done off my "to do" list. It would be great fun. Especially if I could go with my three men!
@Ken, ah another crazy Leafs Fan! I think you're right, it's genetic! How many teams can boast such loyal fans when we haven't seen Stanley in sooooo many years? Going over to check out your hub.
Thanks all for stoppin by.
Good girl ... that's the spirit! :)
Keep cheering and motivating your team. Here's a fav ditty, suitably adapted - you all will have to sing/scream it together, at the top of your voice:
Soda lemon, ginger pop
Maple Leaf on the top
LOL Jaspal, once I actually make it to a Live Leafs game, I'll try and get that chant going.
Thanks for today's smile.
As a mother of three boys I have been in the stands cheering many times! Great hub!
Ahhh, a mother knows! :) Thanks for dropping in Smireles
Stick to your guns, I find that too many fans, are not real fans they only like a sporting body while they are winning. All clubs need fans supporting them in the good and bad times. thanks for sharing that
I agree Eileen. thanks for popping in!
I love watching sports and cheering for my favorites. Your blog is too interesting and spirited.
I actually think the new HNIC theme song is better, the first one is a classic, but this one is better in my opinion. Go PENS!
(no, I'm not a band wagoner, my family is from Pittsburgh and I live there half of the year!)
Great hub!
That's the first vote to the new theme song. Cool.
Thanks for stopping by! And go ahead, join the band wagon!
Thanks Duchess OBlunt...I am a huge hockey fan and just received a signed picture of Marcel Dionne...One of these days I will get to Toronto to see a game (Oh yeah and the NHL hall of fame)...
Hi mtsi1098 Glad to see another hockey fan and we'd love to have you to Toronto to see the NHL fall of fame. But I have to say, I think you're better watching the Leafs anywhere but Toronto. They do better!
For a team that started out so bad, they won the last 4 out of 5 (missing the home game!)
Good one. Yes, I'm also a Leaf fan, win or lose, and lose, and lose .......
LOL, Hey, we are getting better! Twice now we have won two in a row :) GO LEAFS GO!
I would like to link your Toronto hub to this one
http://hubpages.com/hub/NHL-Team-History-and-Origi
Please let me know if you do not mind...thanks again
mtsi1098 - I would be honored! Thank you. I need to find the right place to put it, but I'd like to return the favor. - If YOU don't mind?
No problem at all...I put your link in...thanks
Outstanding hub! As an American I have learned allot! Your hub is 5 stars with great verbiage, ideas and videos - formatted exceptionally well. Very nice - gives me something to aspire to. Thank you!
@ mtsi1098 - No, Thank YOU!
@KellyEngaldo WOW, high praise indeed (assuming 5 stars means good LOL). Thank you for stopping by and reading them.
Hi Duchess, very nice hub. BUT Calgary Flames Rule !!!! LOL have a great Christmas :)
Hi wolfpack5 - may you always be happy in your illusions! :) You watch, the Leafs are going to be the comeback kids this year!
Have yourself a wonderful holiday season as well.
Sorry Duchess I just cant see that happening this year, but I can see the flames go all the way :)
Well in the spirit of good sportsmanship, I will wish your Calgary Flames the best of luck!
How fun! I love children's sports - the group passion is like no other. Thanks for sharing.
Good stuff. I, too, am a Leafs fan living in LA now. Really 1993 was our last real chance and it was taken away by Kerry Fraser!
composed - welcome!
Did we have a chance in 1993? I can't remember back that far LOL.
I'm still hoping that means I am a true fan or I am nuts! Take your pick.
Thanks for stopping in
What if they changed their name back to the Toronto St. Pats? Perhaps that is "the key" to lifting another chalice.
That's a suggestion I have never heard before. I'm not sure they'd go for it, but maybe if you give them the right argument! Why not give it a go? See what happens
Phil kessel is my favorite on the maple leafs
I'd like to say he was mine as well, but he hasn't performed up to his potential so far. I'm still hoping he finds his legs, or whatever he needs to measure up to the expectations I had for him. I'd love to see that
If you're a true leafs fan vote on the following:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Habs-vs-Caps-Game-7-Why-th
Can't stand the Habs been a Leafer for life and it's killing me seeing the Habs forcing a game 7 against the Caps.
Lemme know your thoughts here!
Sorry markcohen11, can't agree with you on this one. I'm a true leafer - but if they cannot make it to the playoffs I'm voting for ANY Canadian team - regardless of the team rivalry. :(
yes, i agree.. they are God's team in the NHL
GO LEAFS GO!!!
LOL Greek One, Not sure about God's team, but definitely MINE
what a wonderful, wonderful team
Wonderful Fans at any rate Greek One.
Nice hub, but I have to admit I am more of Pittsburgh Penguins fan and Ottawa Senators. :)
We are all entitled to our choices Leslie....I'll stick by my leafs. Thanks for stopping by
Hang in there, theres hope if my Blackhawks finally got their cup. The Leafs look like they are finally heading in the right direction. By the way thank you for taking Versteeg from us lol jk. Good luck this year and Let's Go Hawks !! :)
I was routing for the Blackhawks! Nice to see them win after so long.
But, I think this is the year the Leafs get Stanley back!
And about Verteeg? Grrrrr!
GO LEAFS GO
I have linked this hub in my latest...Just let me know if you have any issues with the link and I will remove it...thanks
Thanks for the comment mtsi1098. Reminded me I needed to make this a little more "green" as some of the data was out of date. (although we STILL haven't seen Lord Stantley) LOL
Of course I don't mind the link! Liks are awesome. Thank you for the compliment
As a Detroit Lions fan I feel your pain. But not too much since we have the Red Wings.
Cute MrLynch! :)
Thanks for commiserating with me (I think)
The one thing you could have explained in a little more detail is about the sheer depth of Toronto Maple Leafs fans. I know you did point out some very telling factors, like the fact that despite no Stanley Cup in decades the team has no worries because the fans will keep on coming for decades to come.
But for people browsing through who really don't know much, or anything about how deep Toronto's love for the Leafs run, you really have to spell it out. Even then most people would have some difficulty fully believing how important we find hockey and how much we love our team.
Because you didn't make it plain, I will.
If you are a sports fan I am sure you have seen the carnage and riots that have taken place after some sporting events; soccer of course is famous for this, and of course Vancouver now has two mad house riots to their credit after the Canucks failed to take home the cup two times in the finals.
I can tell you this...the next time the Leafs win the Stanley Cup...you can forget about everything you have ever seen or heard about post game revelry. In any sport. In any place.
When that final game hits the point where you are sure the Leafs have won it and they are going to take the Cup, if you are in the downtown Toronto core...you should start running...out of the core. If you are anywhere close to Downtown and you have to get someplace, I hope you can fly because the streets will be packed solid with bodies for miles and for hours. Likely many hours.
If you cant stand loud noises, hide in a basement because there will be so many car horns honking they will likely be heard in the opposing teams home town. I suspect thats what we would be aiming for. If you have a loved one who is a major Leafs fan and it appears they are going to likely win the cup that day...keep them away from any type of alcoholic beverage, because if your right and the leafs do win your loved one will most assuredly do something absolutely insane and out of character if they are impaired by alcohol. And that most assuredly goes for the Leafs winning or losing the cup.
Don't leave your car in the downtown area unless you want the insurance money more then the car. If your a Toronto police officer and a leafs fan, which most are, make sure your on the job that day as it will at least have some assistance on keeping you from getting arrested...but not likely much.
If you are a Torontonian who doesn't care for hockey...move. Over all you will feel ticked off at first but be much happier once you read about what happened to the city after "The Big Win".
To put it bluntly, the next time the Leafs win the Stanley Cup, millions of Torontonians will loose, and I mean completely loose their minds, and as you might imagine thats not always going to be a good thing.
In short, while other cities around the world may think they are the ultimate fans..they really have no idea. Toronto prides itself as being the HUB of hockey enthusiasm in the world. And the only thing that has kept our enthusiasm in check is a drought since 1967. But when the big win comes, its almost terrible to say, but you can count on things getting a little more then mental.
I heard one guy say in a bar during a Toronto Maple Leafs game a couple of years back when Toronto was on the losing end that the whole Stanley Cup drought was a government conspiracy because they know full well the city will have to be declared a disaster area if Toronto ever wins the big one again.
I hate to think he would be right, but its one of those situations where you know part of what he was saying wasn't so funny because he could easily be right.
That was very descriptive...I'll give you that.
But I certainly hope our Canadian citizens will learn a lesson from the embarrassing situations in Vancouver and in Quebec in the past.
Hopefully we can behave better than you describe here.
Bail Up ! 2 years ago
I love your enthusiasm. I know what you mean about cheering for your kids team. My dilema is I have two kids one at UF and diehard Gators fan and one UM Hurricance fan. Funny to watch when they play each other :)