LEAFS CAMP 1928: A PICTURE OF HEALTH

Back in the day, NHL training camps were designed to help the players shake off weight gained during the off-season and for management to make sure they were put through their paces. Ninety-years ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs took a bus from Toronto to Port Elgin, Ontario, to get ready for the 1928-29 campaign. On the afternoon of October 21, 1928, twelve Maple Leafs made the trip to begin camp. The twelve chosen ones were Arthur Smith, Art Duncan, 'Ace' Bailey, Bill Carson, Joe Primeau, Danny Cox, Gerry Lowrey, 'Hap' Day, Jack Arbour, Lorne Chabot, Alex Gray and George Horne. This group, under the supervision of Conn Smythe and trainer Tom Dailey, never hit the ice once they arrived in Port Elgin.

Instead, their time was spent on dry-land training and getting into shape before returning to Toronto and workouts at Arena Gardens on Mutual Street. A newspaper report noted, "The players were up bright and early ... Corporal Coyne attended to that. He had them out at 7:15 going through a series of physical 'jerks' that to the former soldiers of the team were reminiscent of the old army days."

A special dispatch to The Globe provided further details on the Leafs activity in Port Elgin. "Awakening to find a drizzling rain awaiting them today, the Maple Leafs had a half-hour's physical drill on the veranda of the Lake View Inn." Once the weather cleared, "... the team was put through a series of formations for the benefit of Canadian Press photograhers."

And the Leafs weren't finished. "Following this, a two-mile hike, with occasional stops for more drill[s], was ordered by the instructor." Also included in the training camp program was tennis, golf and baseball.

The Leafs finally laced up their skates on November 3, 1928, at Arena Gardens.

Edited September 24, 2018 12:27pm.