Government of Canada Commemorates the National Historic Significance of the Toronto Maple Leafs Français
The Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club is one of the most storied sports teams in North America
TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - The Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the first teams to compete in the National Hockey League (NHL), won 13 Stanley Cup championships between 1918 and 1967.
Today, Dr. Richard Alway, Chair of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, commemorated the national historic significance of the Toronto Maple Leafs with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque during a ceremony at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The announcement was made on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna.
Originally known as the Arenas and then the St. Pats, the hockey club officially changed their name to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1927 under the leadership of co-owner and manager Conn Smythe. Smythe built Maple Leaf Gardens in the heart of the Depression, a time when many NHL teams moved, merged, or went bankrupt. The Leafs were one of only two Canadian teams to survive these lean years, the other being the Montreal Canadiens. Under Smythe's leadership, the team became one of the most renowned sport franchises in North America, and continue to be supported by an extremely loyal fan base.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were the first Canadian hockey team to produce nation-wide broadcasts of their games, featuring the voice of the famous announcer Foster Hewitt. The play-by-play broadcast was instrumental in establishing the Canadian sporting and cultural tradition of Hockey Night in Canada. The team fostered numerous hockey legends, including Syl Apps, Ted Kennedy and Dave Keon.
The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant people, places and events that contributed to our country's diverse heritage. The commemoration process is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,000 designations have been made.
The Government of Canada is celebrating families with free admission to Parks Canada places for youth 17 and under, and free admission for one year for new Canadian citizens, starting in 2018 and beyond. We invite Canadians to learn more about our history – from lighthouses to battlefields, historic neighbourhoods to Indigenous contributions to Canada, there is an amazing array of places and stories to discover.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is pleased that the national historic significance of the Toronto Maple Leafs is commemorated. The Leafs evoke an inspiring story of comradery and perseverance that appeals to the firmly held conviction that hockey is Canada's game. Historic designations reflect Canada's rich and varied history and I encourage all Canadians to learn more about the Toronto Maple Leafs and their important contributions to Canada's heritage."
Adam Vaughan,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Spadina — Fort York
"Today's recognition of the last 100 years serves as a testament to the dedication displayed by the players, management, staff and fans, in addition to the contributions they've made throughout our team history. Tonight, we embark upon a new season and we hope to carry forward the dedicated stewardship of the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club."
Mr. Brendan Shanahan,
President and Alternate Governor, Toronto Maple Leafs
Quick Facts
- In November 1931, the Toronto Maple Leafs played their first game in Maple Leaf Gardens, and with the 'kid line' of Charlie Conacher, Joe Primeau and Busher Jackson, went on to win the Stanley Cup later that season.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of several hockey-related subjects to have been recognized for their national historic significance including James George Aylwin Creighton, Maple Leaf Gardens, Club de hockey Canadien, the Stanley Cup, and the National Hockey League.
- Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada's history.
Related Document
Backgrounder: Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club
Related Links
Parks Canada
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
Toronto Maple Leafs
SOURCE Parks Canada
Bruce MacMillan, Public Relations and Communications Officer, Georgian Bay and Ontario East Field Unit, Parks Canada, 613-923-5261 ext. 122, [email protected]; Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, [email protected]
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