GTA Hockey - Hockey in the Greater Toronto Area

Leafs Trade Two

2008-11-24T15:26:00.001-05:00

It looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Alex Steen and defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo to the St. Louis Blues in return for forward Lee Stempniak. I'll have more on this when I've let the news settle in!

Gilmour Leaving Marlies for Kingston

2008-11-17T13:45:00.003-05:00

Doug Gilmour has left the Toronto Marlies to coach take over the head coaching position with his hometown Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.

Gilmour, a Kingston native, was hired as an assistant coach with the AHL team in August.

He replaces Larry Mavety, who has coached the Kingston franchise since 1997-98.

The Frontenacs have just five wins in their first 23 games and sit last in the 20-team OHL after a 3-1 loss to Oshawa Sunday.

The team has never won a league championships since the original Kingston franchise began play in 1974.

Gilmour, 45, was born and raised in Kingston, though he played for the Cornwall Royals when he was in the OHL. He was player development advisor with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2007-08 before moving to the Marlies as an assistant to Greg Gilbert.

Story @ sportsnet.ca

NHL All Star Voting

2008-11-17T12:33:00.002-05:00

Just in case you haven't voted for your NHL All Star team yet, here's a quick reminder for you to vote for the Leafs Tomas Kaberle and Vesa Toakala...

Sundin's 500th Goal

2008-11-11T18:39:00.001-05:00

Whilst everyone in the hockey world waits to hear where Mats Sundin has decided to play out the rest of the season, the excellent Torontoist has just published an article reminiscing over Mats Sundin's 500th goal on October 14 2006 against the Calgary Flames. For those of you who where there, and even those of you who weren't, you might want to take a look at the article and video clip of the occasion.

Read the article here, and reminisce over the good old days :-)

A Second NHL Franchise for Toronto?

2008-10-21T06:29:00.002-04:00

Yet again the idea of a second NHL franchise being awarded to Toronto seems to be rearing it's head.

The Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail is reporting:

NHL governors are talking informally about placing a second hockey team in Toronto alongside the Maple Leafs, The Globe and Mail has learned.

“Why shouldn't we put another team in the best and biggest market in the world?” one of several NHL governors who spoke with The Globe anonymously said of the Greater Toronto Area.

According to this governor, one idea floated is for prospective owner Jim Balsillie to be rewarded with an expansion team in Toronto after helping to restore financial ballast to the Nashville Predators.“I've heard this exact scenario,” a second governor said.

Calgary Flames co-owner Harley Hotchkiss, a former chairman of the NHL board of governors, is also aware of the Balsillie movement.

“I've heard bits and pieces of this scenario, although not in that kind of detail,” he said. “Our priority is to have the existing franchises
solid.”

“[It is] an interesting scenario,” Mr. Hotchkiss added, “ but I can only speak generally.”

Richard Peddie, president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said the organization would not automatically reject the idea of a second team in Toronto.

“When and if the league brings expansion to the table, we'll listen and decide what is best [for hockey],” he said.There's more discussion in the full article which can be found here:

NHL floats notion of second team in Toronto

Whatever the outcome of this, and it's been discussed many times before, it seems like Hamilton is a no no. The NHL board has exprtessed concern that any NHL fanchise in the city of Hamilton would take fans away from the nearby Sabres. I just wonder how many Candian hocke

Luke Schenn In, Mark Bell Out

2008-10-07T07:14:00.002-04:00

This is a time of teaching for Ron Wilson, a season in which the head coach will measure progress for the Toronto Maple Leafs by the on-ice growth of his players rather than by wins and losses in the standings.

It's into this environment of learning that 2008 first-round pick Luke Schenn will make his NHL debut.

Although the Maple Leafs won't finalize their roster until Tuesday morning, they confirmed Monday that the 18-year-old defenceman taken fifth overall last June is going to open the season with the big club.

General manager Cliff Fletcher also said that forward Mark Bell has been placed on waivers and will be assigned to the AHL Marlies should he not be claimed, as the roster's paring down neared a conclusion ahead of Thursday's season-opener at Detroit.

"We still have a couple more decisions we have to make," said Fletcher.

More at sportsnet.ca

Will The Leafs Ever Win The Stanley Cup?

2008-10-01T06:12:00.001-04:00

The answer it seems, can be found here....

Majors in Action Tonight

2008-09-06T05:50:00.002-04:00

Don't forget that the Majors have a home exhibition game tonight, as they take on the Attack at 7 p.m. at the Milton Memorial Arena, and the Petes on Sept. 7th, 2 p.m. at the Port Credit Arena!

St Michael's Majors

McCabe Considers Moving On...

2008-09-02T18:42:00.000-04:00

.. Or not?

Sportsnet.ca has article quoting Cliff Fletcher as saying "Bryan is starting to think about possibly getting his career started somewhere else", which would suggest that McCabe is reconsidering his stance on his no-trade clause. However, Fletcher then goes on to say "We'll leave him alone. He's going to get back to us in a couple of weeks. There's not going to be any issues. I'm really confidant it's going to be resolved amicably before training camp."

Read more of this article here.

Update (14 August): Various sites are running the rumour that the trade has been made with the Florida Panthers. Let's wait for the official announcement :-)

Update (02 Sept): The trade is official. Read about it here and the official announcment on the Leafs site here.

Sundin to Play at the ACC...

2008-08-29T16:04:00.001-04:00

.. but maybe just one more time?

Sportsnet.ca is reporting that former Leafs captain, and unsigned free agent, Mats Sundin has agreed to play in the Festival Cup, a charity hockey game, which is being played in the Air Canada Centre this coming Friday (September 5th).

Is this Mat's last appearance at the ACC? It seems that (still) no one really knows.

Read more here.

More Mats Rumours?

2008-08-17T16:36:00.001-04:00

Sportsnet.ca is adding to the Mats Sundin rumours by stating that the (former) Leafs captain "has declared his interest in playing for the New York Rangers this season".

Apparently there have been no formal discussions betwwen Mats and the Rangers... but only time will tell.

Read more here.

Gilmour Joins Marlies Staff

2008-08-08T03:07:00.001-04:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs have appointed former captain Doug Gilmour to
the coaching staff of the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey
League, the team announced Thursday.

Gilmour, who spent the last two seasons as a Professional Development
Advisor to the Leafs, will join Joe Paterson and Jim Hughes as an
assistant coach under Marlies head coach Greg Gilbert.

"We are thrilled to have Doug join the coaching staff of the Marlies,"
Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher said. "Doug has done so much for
the Leafs organization and he brings a wealth of hockey knowledge and
experience to Greg Gilbert’s staff."

The native of Kingston, Ontario served as Leafs captain for three
years, setting the team’s single season records for points (127) and
assists (95) in 1992-93. He also won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the
NHL’s top defensive forward that season.

Gilmour joined the club from the Calgary Flames in the largest trade in
league history on Jan. 2, 1992. He played in 392 games for Toronto and
earned 452 points (131 goals and 321 assists) from 1992 to 1997.

He announced his retirement September 8, 2003, six months after rejoining the Leafs at the NHL trade deadline.

Last month, the Leafs announced that Gilmour will be honoured by the
organization on Jan. 31, 2009 when a banner with his No. 93 will be
raised to the rafters prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Gilmour joins Marlies coaching staff - Sportsnet.ca

Kubina for Captain?

2008-08-07T12:59:00.001-04:00

Sportsnet.ca has an article quoting the Maple Leafs General Manager Cliff Fletcher as saying "He could be a serious candidate to be our captain" when talking about the future of defenceman Pavel Kubina. Of course, we're all still in the dark as to the future of the current Leafs captain Mats Sundin, but is this Fletcher's way of letting us know his intentions for the club?

Read the rest of the article here.

Maple Leafs 2008/2009 Game Schedule Released

2008-07-18T04:47:00.001-04:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs will open the 2008-09 season by facing the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena on Thursday, October 9. Two nights later, the Maple Leafs will play their home opener against division-rival Montreal at Air Canada Centre.

The 08/09 game schedule can be found here....

Banner night opens Leafs 08/09 season - Sportsnet.ca

Leafs D-man Signing - UPDATE

2008-07-10T05:52:00.001-04:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs had hoped to announce the signing of Swedish defenceman Jonas Frogren on Wednesday but the contract was rejected by the NHL's head office.

"We are working with the NHL Players' Association to resolve the matter," said Don Meehan of Newport Sports, Frogren's agent. "We remain hopeful it will get resolved."

The league determined Frogren, 28, must be signed to an entry-level contract as a first-year NHL player despite his pro experience in Europe. The Leafs had signed Frogren to a standard contract.

Frogren, six-foot-one and 200 pounds, is a stay-at-home defenceman who played for Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League last season.

"He played really well at the world championships," Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher told The Canadian Press on Wednesday. "He's a physical, defensive defenceman. He can play in our top six next season."

NHL rejects Frogren deal with Leafs - Sportsnet.ca

Leafs Sign Swedish Defenceman

2008-07-09T17:51:00.002-04:00

According to a local Toronto radio report, the Maple Leafs have signed Swedish defencemen Jonas Frogren..

Frogren, who was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames back in 1998, recently negotiated his release from Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League -- the same team which also employs the much-coveted Fabian Brunnstrom and former-Leaf Jonas Hoglund.

"I'm pleased to pursue my dream," Frogren told a Swedish newspaper.

Frogren, 27, had just one point and 38 PIM in 47 games last season.

Report: Leafs sign Swedish defenceman - Sportsnet.ca

Leafs' Stajan Signs For 2 More Years

2008-07-08T06:18:00.001-04:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed restricted free agent forward Matt Stajan to a US$3.5-million, two-year contract on Monday.

The 24-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., played in all 82 games last season. He scored a career-high 16 goals and added 17 assists and 47 penalty minutes.

In 314 career NHL games with the Maple Leafs, Stajan has 127 points (56-71).

He was Toronto's second choice, 57th overall, in the 2002 entry draft.

Leafs' Stajan signs on for 2 more years - Sportsnet.ca

Leafs' Blake Wins Masterton Trophy

2008-06-13T03:25:00.001-04:00

Jason Blake was diagnosed with leukemia just before the start of the regular season and quickly lost 10 pounds after starting to receive treatment.

He still didn't miss a game for the Toronto Maple Leafs all season.

That devotion and effort helped Blake win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Thursday as the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

"It's sad to say that you almost need something of this magnitude to make you realize how important each day is," said Blake. "I've been so lucky in life to play in the NHL, have three beautiful kids and be married to a wonderful woman. ...

"I get to play the game I love at the highest level and I get to continue doing it as long as some team wants me."

He edged out Detroit Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios and Edmonton Oilers forward Fernando for the award, which was voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

More at sportsnet.ca...

Leafs' Blake wins Masterton Trophy - Sportsnet.ca

Wilson Named Head Coach of Maple Leafs

2008-06-10T18:02:00.001-04:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Tuesday that Ron Wilson has been named the 27th head coach in the club’s history. Wilson previously held the NHL head coaching duties with Anaheim, Washington, and most recently San Jose for parts of the past five seasons.

More at the official Leafs site...

Toronto Maple Leafs - Press Releases: Wilson Named Head Coach of Maple Leafs - 06/10/2008

Leafs Sign Tim Stapleton

2008-06-06T13:17:00.001-04:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Friday that the team has signed free agent centre Tim Stapleton.

Stapleton, 25, spent the past two seasons playing for Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League. In 2007-08, he recorded a team-high 29 goals and he was second-best in both assists (33) and points (62) while playing in 55 games for head coach Doug Shedden. This past season he placed fifth in Finnish Elite League scoring and second in goals.

Stapleton attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 2002 to 2006. In 162 collegiate games he scored 63 goals and added 89 assists for 152 points. As a freshman, he led the team in scoring with 42 points and he repeated the feat in his final collegiate season by earning 30 points. He led the team in goals in his third and fourth seasons in college.

Toronto Maple Leafs - Press Releases: Leafs Ink Tim Stapleton - 06/06/2008

Marlies Announce Dates For Western Conference Finals

2008-05-16T03:35:00.001-04:00

The Toronto Marlies announced they will open their Western Conference Finals series of the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs in Chicago on Friday, May 16 at 8:30 p.m. against the Chicago Wolves at the Allstate Arena.

The rest of the game dates can be found on the Marlies official site:

Marlies Announce Dates For Western Conference Finals - The Official Site of the Toronto Marlies

Maple Leafs Fire Maurice

2008-05-07T16:02:00.000-04:00

Paul Maurice was fired as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs after his team failed to make the playoffs during his two seasons.

Maurice, who has one year left on his contract, was informed of the decision Wednesday morning.

"You know the way the season ended up and the changes that are going to take place on the team," Maurice told The Canadian Press from his Toronto home. "So I was very aware that it was a possibility."

Assistant coach Randy Ladouceur also was fired. Assistant Dallas Eakins was offered a position elsewhere in the organization, while Keith Acton remains an assistant coach with the team.

Interim general manager Cliff Fletcher was to provide more details at an afternoon news conference at Air Canada Centre.

More at ESPN.com...

ESPN - Leafs, in three-year playoff drought, fire Maurice - NHL

Get Your Hockey Views on GTA Hockey

2008-05-04T16:55:00.002-04:00

Now that we are heading into that dreaded hockey free season called summer, I thought I'd put a shout out to all the hockey fans in the GTA (or around the world) who might like to help out GTA Hockey.

If you've got some news (about your rec team/juniors/local hockey store having a sale etc), or you have a hockey viewpoint (perhaps about the final rounds of the Stanley Cup) then just let me know.... Drop me an email to rob at gtahockey dot com and you could end up having your news/views broadcast to the hockey world.

Jiri Tlusty Named AHL Player of Week

2008-04-15T03:56:00.001-04:00

The American Hockey League announced today that Toronto Marlies left wing Jiri Tlusty has been named the Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Apr. 13, 2008. Tlusty recorded four goals and six assists for 10 points to go with a plus-6 rating in four games in the Marlies’ final tune-ups for the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs.

In his first game back with the Marlies after spending more than three months in the NHL with the parent Maple Leafs, Tlusty scored twice and added two assists in Toronto’s 8-3 win over Chicago on Wednesday night. On Friday in Hamilton, he netted the winning goal with 3:17 left in regulation and picked up an assist as the Marlies beat the Bulldogs, 3-2. Tlusty then had a goal and two assists in Saturday’s 6-2 win over Rochester, and finished the regular season with an assist in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Manitoba.

In recognition of his achievement, Tlusty will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Marlies home game.

More on the official Toronto Marlies site...

Tlusty Named AHL Player of Week - The Official Site of the Toronto Marlies

Sundin Hangs Up his Skates?

2008-04-02T14:13:00.001-04:00

Is this the end of the partnership between Mats Sundin and the Toronto Maple Leafs? Remember, Mats will become an Unrestricted Free Agent on July 1.

From sportsnet.ca.....

Mats Sundin's season is over. A groin tear will keep the Toronto Maple Leafs captain out of the final two games of the regular season, leaving open the possibility that he's played his last game ever for the franchise. Sundin is an unrestricted free agent and says that he hasn't made any decision on his future. He has repeatedly stated that he intends to retire as a member of the Maple Leafs _ a team he's played for since 1994. Interim GM Cliff Fletcher has said that he hopes to bring Sundin back to Toronto for another year.

Sundin hangs up the skates ... for '08 - Sportsnet.ca