THE ELUSIVE GREEN MAPLE LEAF

On February 2, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a huge splash when they unveiled their new logo, which is pictured above. The entire uniform will make its debut at the 2016 Draft.

The new logo contains several features that recognizes the Maple Leafs past accomplishments and important dates in the history of the franchise. The 31 point Maple Leaf pays homage to when the club moved from Arena Gardens on Mutual Street to their new home at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1931. A total of 17 veins are shown on the crest. This number represents the year the franchise was formed and entered the newly created National Hockey League in 1917. The 13 veins situated at the very top (4 right, 6 centre & 3 left) acknowledges the 13 Stanley Cups won by the Toronto Arenas, St. Pats and Maple Leafs.

While most of the franchise logos have been documented since 1917, there is one period of time that lacks detail. When Conn Smythe and his partners purchased the St. Pats on February 14, 1927, they decided to rename their new acquisition the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In the February 15, 1927, edition of The Toronto Telegram, an article (above) shed light on the new-look Maple Leafs:

 The club will be called the Maple Leaf Hockey Club. The old green and white sweaters of the St. Pat's will go into discard. On Thursday night against New York Americans here, the local boys will sport these new sweaters. They will be white with a green maple leaf...

The opening paragraph in The Globe story (above - Feb. 18/27) on the Toronto Maple Leafs first contest made note that they were, "...bedecked in new uniforms, a new name, and playing under new management..."

A review of the Toronto newspapers - Toronto Daily Star, The Globe, The Star Weekly, The Telegram, The Mail & Empire - failed  to turn up a photograph of the Maple Leafs new threads. The search stretched from February 1927 to the end of the 1926-27 season. Also, several out-of-town newspapers were checked, but no photos were found.

To properly appreciate the full affect of viewing a green Maple Leaf crest, a colour photo would be the best image. Like the attempts to secure a black and white team issued or press picture, the hunt for a colour version came up empty.

A Google image search produced several photos, but didn't expose a green Maple Leaf as opposed to a blue Maple Leaf. The only interesting aspect is the fact an all-white sweater is shown.

The above picture of Joe Primeau is an example of an all-white jersey. Obviously, there is no way to tell if the logo is green or blue. A review of Primeau's fact sheet on the Society for International Hockey Research website revealed that the centre for Toronto's famed Kid Line didn't play for the Leafs until the 1927-28 campaign. This leads to the possibility of the post-sale jersey being a hand-me-down for future Leaf players to wear in practice or at special events. This is only speculation and an authentic/documented colour picture is the only true visual evidence of a green Maple Leaf.

In a media guide, the Toronto Maple Leafs noted:

Now in charge of Toronto's National Hockey League entry, Smythe's patriotic pride led him to decide on a Maple Leaf as the team's nickname and crest...the uniform colours remained green and white for a year after he purchased the team out of respect for the previous organization. He then changed the colours to blue and white...

 The reference to the colour's remaining green and white could also include a green Maple Leaf, but the guide doesn't come right out and confirm the logo was green.

In 1927-28, the Toronto Maple Leafs donned their new blue and white uniform (above photos).  At this point, the elusive green Maple Leaf disappeared.

  

THE AIR LIFT OF 1958

At the February lunch for the NHL Original Six Alumni, I had the pleasure of giving a talk on the career of Sandy Air.

In 1957, Sandy was a member of the Allan Cup champion Whitby Dunlops. As reigning champs, the Dunlops were selected to represent Canada at the 1958 world championships in Oslo, Norway. Due to business commitments, Sandy wasn't going to make the trip. However, he was told by Dunlops manager, Wren Blair, to stay by the phone in case he was needed.

And that call came on February 25, 1958. Hoping to bolster their attack on right wing, Blair and playing-coach Sid Smith felt it was necessary to reach out to Air. A headline in The Globe and Mail read, "SANDY AIR-LIFT PLANNED TO STRENGTHEN DUNLOPS."

On March 9, 1958, Sandy Air and his Dunlop teammates doubled-up Russia by a 4-2 score and their quest to conquer the world was complete.

KEON ON LEGENDS ROW

Taking into account it is called Legends Row, it didn't come as a surprise when the Leafs announced that Dave Keon would be honoured with a statue in their upcoming centennial year. 

Since retiring, Keon has returned to take part in ceremonies to hail the 1960's Stanley Cup winning teams. However, he has refused to participate in an individual tribute. This stems from his firmly held belief that his former team should retire player numbers and not employ their policy of having honoured numbers.

The Maple Leafs only have two retired numbers - #6 for Ace Bailey and #5 for Bill Barilko - hanging from the rafters at the Air Canada Centre.

Left to Right: Barb Tushingham, Brendan Shanahan, Dave Keon and Jeri Horton-Joyce

Since Keon wasn't going to be part of any gathering to honour his number 14, the Leafs found another way to acknowledge their former captain. On January 23rd, Keon was front and centre in a pre-game ceremony to salute the latest members of Legends Row. Joining Keon at centre ice was Barb Tushingham (representing her father, Turk Broda) and Jeri Horton Joyce (representing her father, Tim Horton). 

And how did Keon land the number that he feels so strongly about?

The story begins at his rookie training camp prior to the 1960-61 season. During camp, Keon wore two different numbers - 8 & 24. His request to permanently wear 24 was refused and number 14 was assigned to him.

During a press conference between periods at the ACC, Keon explained his reluctance to wear number 14.

"I didn't want it fourteen was the number given to every guy coming up and down from Rochester (the Leafs AHL farm team). For a month or two weeks you wore 14 and you were gone again. That's not a good sign."

As history shows, Dave Keon put an end to that tradition.

THE EARLS' OF HOCKEY

The first Original Six Alumni lunch of 2016 was held in early January. One of the great aspects of this gathering is the opportunity to meet new people. And this was the case to kick-off the new year.

The top photo shows John Brown, who made his first appearance at the lunch. His great grandfather, John Earls, was the founder of the OHA Toronto Marlboros. John is holding a book - 'A Great Game' - written by the former prime minister of Canada Stephen Harper.

Here is a passage from Mr. Harper's work relating to the Earls family and the 1905-06 Toronto Marlboros:

The Marlboros had again lost some key men in the off-season. This time, however, no new crop of regulars stood ready to bridge the gaps. Despite the allegations in Barrie and elsewhere of a capital-city bias, no OHA rulings came to the clubs rescue, either.
The subcommittee's pre-emptive crackdown gave the Marlboros no breaks on amateur declarations or residency certificates. Jack Earls, son of the club founder John Earls and brother of former captain Lal Earls, was denied permission to play after returning from a work stint in Buffalo.

The second photo shows a close-up view of the 1903-04 Toronto Marlboros team picture. John has marked the members of his hockey family in the image.

In 1903-04, the Marlboros lost a best-of-three challenge for the Stanley Cup to the Ottawa Silver Seven.

RUDY MIGAY: 1928-2016

One of the interesting aspects about Rudy Migay, who passed away on January 16,  is the fact he played his entire NHL career with only one team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After winning the Memorial Cup in 1948 with the Port Arthur West End Bruins, Migay joined the Leafs' farm team (AHL) in Pittsburgh for the 1948-49 campaign. In his first season of pro hockey, Migay collected 52 points in 64 games and included in this total was 21 goals.

When he was called-up in his second season by the Leafs, Migay was on a hot-streak having recorded 7 points in his last 6 outings with the Hornets.

Rudy Migay made his NHL debut on December 1, 1949, when the Maple Leafs hosted the Detroit Red Wings.

During the period from 1949-50 to 1959-60, Rudy Migay skated in 418 contests wearing the Blue & White. In the NHL, he registered 151 points on 59 goals and 92 assists. Also, he spent parts of different seasons in the American Hockey League with Pittsburgh and the Rochester Americans.

The top photo is the game summary from Migay's NHL debut. The bottom picture shows (left to right) Hugh Bolton, Gil Mayer and Rudy Migay. All three were summoned for the Detroit game. This photo appeared in the November 30, 1949, edition of The Telegram.

Besides capturing the Memorial Cup, another highlight from Migay's career came in 1958-59. In addition to participating in 19 games with the Maple Leafs, Migay had an outstanding 51 games with Rochester. His 82 points (24 goals & 58 assists) resulted in him sharing (with Bill Hicke) the Les Cunningham Award as the league MVP.

Migay's final season as a player was in 1964-65 with the Tulsa Oilers (CPHL). He remained in the game as a coach, general manager and scout.

A FIRST FOR JOHNNY BOWER

On January 14, 1954, Hockey Hall of Fame goalie, Johnny Bower, recorded his first NHL shutout when the New York Rangers defeated Chicago 2-0. He would go on to register a total of 37 regular season shutouts with New York and Toronto.

'TIS THE SEASON!!!

Earlier this month, The NHL Oldtimers Hockey Alumni Original Six Christmas lunch was held in Markham, Ontario.

Pete Conacher (L) with Jim Morrison

Adrian Stanowski (L) with Barb Loynachan (Bob Goldham's daughter) & Craig Stanowski

Sid Smith's son, Blaine, standing between Frank Mahovlich (L) & Red Kelly

Steve Vickers (L) with Gilles Leger

Jim Gregory (L) with Frank Bonello

Harry Howell (L) with Dean Prentice

Bob & Sallie Baun

The "Big M" with Bob Nevin

Red Kelly sharing a laugh with Santa

Steve Vickers (L) with Steve Ludzik & Jim Gregory

After spreading Christmas cheer throughout the room, Santa was ready for some cake

With his round belly now full, Santa was ready for his interview with Brian McFarlane

The talented Stephanie Beaumont and her sweet voice filled the room with Christmas tunes

MERRY CHRISTMAS, TO ONE AND ALL!!!