October 7, 2022

TOWN & TEAM HAPPY WITH LEAFS’ GOLF GETAWAY TRAINING CAMP

GRAVENHURST — The Leafs packed up their golf bags and are off to Detroit tonight for their final home-and-home preseason game (again tomorrow) with the Wings.

Both the team an the town were happy with the three-day stay, as hundreds of giddy fans, elementary and high school students (who got to sign out of classes for the day) got the closest to their hockey heroes they’ll probably ever get.

Some lucky ones even got autographs as friendly players entered or left the rink — most didn’t.

But amid a sea of $245 blue Marner and Matthews jerseys — a lot of worn ones with previous players’ names like Gilmour, Clarke and Phaneuf etched on back shoulders of older fans — the feeling was the same as it was last year when the team bonded over golf and coloured leaves.

A year ago the enthusiasm was intoxicating with visions of Stanley Cups dancing in their heads.

By spring last it was the aged old thing experienced by generations dating back before the ’72 Summit Series when hockey was hockey a few oldtimers on hand would attest.

Today’s devotees see a much faster, skilled game with players hustling their butts off non-stop in practice.

Mitch Marner, right, cheers after scoring a goal in a practice scrimmage yesterday. The popular Leaf proved why he is the favoured son of the team and among players and is destined to one day be its next captain.

The Leafs looked like the Russians 50 years ago when no wonder they walloped Team Canada at home in the first four games in hockey’s greatest war 50 years ago.

These Leafs would have done the same beating Paul Henderson, Phil Esposito, Ken Dryden, Ronnie Ellis, Bobby Clarke and a dozen or more out-of-shape Canucks.

Fortunately for us in the end the Russians got what they are getting and deserve in the Ukraine now.

I remember 1972 being at Game 2 with my dad, Hugh, of that Summit Series at Maple Leaf Gardens when Canada won to even the series early rebounding from a 7-2 drubbing in the Montreal opener.

Years later I worked for Leafs owner Harold Ballard sweeping floors at the Carlton Street Mint between journalism classes at nearby Ryerson Polytechnic Institute (now Toronto Metropolitan University).

I used to love the giant old black and white photos of the Leafs teams of yore hanging around the Canadian landmark building, including those of Sundridge’s Bucko McDonald and Bracebridge’s Roger Crozier.

After going on to cover some Leafs and NHL games as a reporter — and years including watching Gravenhurst minor hockey product Kris King star with the team — it was clear this week that while the altered game remains essentially the same the love and passion for hockey remains.

**Pierre Engvil and Nicolas Aube-Kubel hustle hard for the puck while chasing spots on the final roster Monday.**

That’s why the Hockey Canada scandal hits you like a bruising body check.

Hockey is no longer a sport or even a game, but a global business.

And the people at the top behind it aren’t sportsmen and women, but player pimps.

Something not lost over two days when the rink was filled with hundreds of vulnerable children watching and growing into the cult of the game.

As for the Leafs there’s always next year they keep echoing each year with no shame, while you freely give and they take ever more of your dwindling pot of gigabyte of cash.

Defenceman Morgan Rielly admitted the team has “a lot to prove.”

No wonder so many old hockey fans once turned on and tuned in have dropped out.

Now they are turned on and tuned in to the Blue Jays against Seattle (4 p.m. today and tomorrow) in their best of three wildcard drive.

Still the passion for hockey remains.

Sadly at the youngest level where the cost of hockey has driven it to not a participant by spectator sport.

It’s a good thing this Leafs marketing, branding and bonding trip is over and fans can turn their attention to baseball for the weekend — and hopefully longer.

And not disappoint viewers until next spring when the Leafs again dominate the internet and TV airwaves.

And thank God when the Raptors as a diversion will again drive for the hoop down their homestretch.

Then when this time next year the Leafs fall again in the Gateway to Muskoka they will do more than drive for show and shoot the puck for your bucks.

A sea of blue greeted the Leafs’ team bus yesterday for the second day welcoming the team town and a for many a once in a lifetime chance to see their hockey heroes.

**Always friendly and always willing and available Mitch Marner headed right for eager autograph seekers Thursday.**

**William Nylander was first to wade in to sign a jersey for a grateful little fan.**

**Even super star Auston Matthews smiled as he signed his name on his #34.**

**Robbie Irvine of The Oar deliverd a healthy lunch of salads and chicken for the team. She and the Muskoka Bay Resort and DJ ChuckB were local businesses that benefited from the Leafs trip.**

Roxy Roller, who has his own Instagram site was dressed for the occasion sporting his own jersey.

**GHS principal Trent Willett accompanied students to the invite workout, along with hundreds of fans who showed up for the free show.**

**A full house of mostly kids are among the new generation of Leafs fans who fall under their intoxicating spell.**

**Goalie Ilya Samsonov got a good workout and says the trip north allowed him to bond well with his new teammates, especially fellow new netminder Matt Murray.**

**Centre Denis Malgin grabs the puck heading around the net.**

**Defenceman Jake Muzzin, right, will get extra duty this season with two new goalies to help protect the net.**

Coach Sheldon Keefe chats with his top stars Mitch Marner and Autson Matthews. All three face enormous pressure to take the team to the next level – at least the second round of the playoffs – and beyond.