If ever I needed any further proof that Toronto is a Leafs town first and foremost, it comes in this week’s column.  Toronto FC’s and the Blue Jays seasons’ may well be in full swing (pun partially intended) and the Argonauts might be about to kick off their campaign as defending champions, but there was still an abundance of Leafs sightings on social media.

Actually, given the results of the Jays and TFC so far in 2013, it might not be such a bad thing if fans are still being distracted by the Leafs.  Let’s get to our top athlete sightings of the last seven days:

1) NAZEM KADRI

We start off with Nazem Kadri, who was in Watchfinder looking to buy a watch, which might not be the best of ideas.  It’s probably the last thing Kadri (and his teammates) needs after all the clock-watching they did during the last ten minutes of game 7 against the Bruins.

2) CHAD OWENS

This weeks free pass goes to Chad Owens of the Argonauts, partly because he had such a great season last year.  However, it’s more to do with the advice 9f my lawyer, who was worried about what I might write about his companion in the picture above.

3) BEN SCRIVENS AND MIKE KOSTKA

That awkward moment when you take your wife out, bump into teammate Mike Kostka and realise he has more panache when it comes to pulling off the long hair look.  Some advice Ben, try not to think too much about why Mrs Scrivens want the lights dimmed lower than usual tonight……………

4) JOSE BAUTISTA

Here’s a first; an athlete non-sighting of the week, which took place on Monday during the Blue Jays fog-delay game in Chicago.  In all honesty, it’s most probably the best thing that could have happened to Jose Bautista, after his display of petulance the previous day, when he was ejected from the game against the Rangers.

In fact, I’m sure the Blue Jays as a whole wish they could just hide from the fans, given how results have gone so far this season.

5) MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI

Tyler Bozak is currently in negotiation with the Leafs over a new contract.  Apparently, one potential roadblock is the centre’s insistence on wanting Mikhail Grabovski-type money.

If this is the case, Bozak could do worse than show Leafs management the above photo of a rather drunk looking Grabovski enjoying last weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

6) MIKE ZIGOMANIS

This week’s most impressive athlete sighting goes to the Marlies Mike Zigomanis, who decided to go on a full day hike around Machu Picchua in Peru.  However, despite having all the respect in the world for what he did, even when you’re 7,970 feet above sea level, it’s still possible to notice someone’s bad taste in sweaters.

7) MATT DEVLIN

Apparently these fans bumped into Matt Devlin and had a long chat about the NBA Finals.  And of course, there’s no one better qualified to talk about this than someone who commentates on the Raptors and has previously covered the Charlotte Bobcats and Memphis Grizzlies.

8 ) DION PHANEUF

And finally, this weeks Dion Phaneuf sighting comes to us from a fan who spotted the Leafs defenceman while walking home from school.  Funny how Elisha Cuthbert never seems to be with Phaneuf in any of these photos.

Enjoy your weekend!

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at Englishpaul@hotmail.co.uk

You can also follow us on Twitter @bluetoro_ca and like us on Facebook

• By English Paul
• June 14, 2013
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I appreciate that not everyone was able to follow our ‘virtual tour’ of the Hockey Hall of Fame on our Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter yesterday.  As such, here’s a compilation of our favourite photos from yesterday, which you may, or may not, agree with:

1) JOHNNY BOWER

The great Johnny Bower, who played in goal for the Leafs for 11 seasons and earned the nickname, ‘The China Wall’.  He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976, but more importantly, won four Stanley Cups with the Leafs, including their last one in 1967.

2) DARRYL SITTLER

It’s always good to see a Leafs player in the Hall of Fame with a record that will likely never be beaten.  On February 7, 1976, Darryl Sittler set an NHL record for most points in a game, recording 10 against the Boston Bruins, including six goals and four assists.

3) NHL RETRO JERSEYS

I think everyone likes seeing retro sports jerseys, and I’m no different.  As well as the Atlanta Flames and California Golden Seals, the Leafs jersey, in particular, caught my attention.

It was worn during the 1949-50 season by Garth Boesch.  The defenceman played just four seasons, but still won three Stanley Cups during that time.  Wonder why he decided to retire?  Maybe Mr Boesch just got bored of winning all the time.

4) LEAFS V CANUCKS

Okay, I’ll admit it.  The only reason this photo is one of my favourites, is because of the comparison between the Leafs and Canucks in terms of how many Stanley Cups each team has won.  (Yes, yes, Vancouver.  I realise, the Canucks didn’t even have a team when the Leafs last won the championship. But it still amused me.)

5) MONTREAL CANADIENS DRESSING ROOM

On the flip side, I’m sure Leafs fans are dismayed to see anything relating to the Canadiens in my list of favourite pictures.  However, while they are the enemy, it was pretty cool sitting in a replica of an NHL dressing room. (Let’s be honest, it’s the closest I’ll ever get to the real thing.)

6) LEAFS DYNASTY 1962-67

Tougher for younger fans to comprehend, the Leafs have actually had a couple of dynasties during their time in the NHL. The first one was between 1947-51, when they won four Stanley Cups, while the second dynasty (above) took place between 1962-67, with a further four championships.

7) THE STANLEY CUP

Of course, this is what everyone really wants to see: The Stanley Cup.  Let’s be honest, forget about dynasties.  The Leafs and their fans would just love to win this trophy once and then we could all die happy.

8 ) THE PRINCE OF WALES TROPHY

Actually, it might be a good idea if the Leafs aimed for this trophy first.  The Prince of Wales Trophy was initially awarded to the winners of the Eastern Conference in 1994 and suffice it say, the Leafs have yet to get their hands on it.  We live in hope….

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at Englishpaul@hotmail.co.uk

You can also follow us on Twitter @bluetoro_ca and like us on Facebook

• By English Paul
• June 7, 2013
• Comment

You may (or may not) have wondered what Joffrey Lupul has been up to while he’s recovering from injury.  For anyone who actually cares, yesterday he was at the Leafs skate for Easter Seals kids, which this year was held at the Air Canada Centre:

Now running for 35 years, it’s an annual event, which gives people of all ages and abilities the chance to skate with their favourite Maple Leafs alumni.

As such, despite still being an active player, one of the few positives of Lupul’s injury is that he was available to help out. As you can imagine, he was a big hit with the fans:

This cheeky young fan managed to persuade one of the Leafs game crew to drag them around the ice while at the same time getting a prime view without arousing any suspicion. (Something tells me I wouldn’t get away with such a cunning plan.)

Another popular choice for people to skate with, was former Leafs captain Wendel Clark:

Also helping out was Hall of Famer Darryl Sittler, posing here with some fans:

Easter Seals provides programs and services to youths with physical disabilities across Ontario to help them achieve more independence, including up to $3000 per year, per child, to help purchase essential mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, ramps or lifts.

As such, events like those held at the ACC yesterday are vitally important.  Here is Clark with some children, former Leafs goaltender Peter Ing and the top fundraiser of the day:

If anyone would like any more information or wants to donate to a good cause, visit the Easter Seals website at: www.easterseals.org/

NB: Before anyone asks, I’m well aware that Carlton the Bear was also in attendance, but he’s had more than enough exposure from us already this weekend.

Photo credits: @MapleLeafs,@Caryl15 & @sheilaghrennie

If you have any questions, please email me at paul.taylor@bluetoro.ca

You can also follow us on Twitter @bluetoro_ca and like us on Facebook

• By paul.taylor
• February 25, 2013
• Comment

Everybody loves free stuff, as the various promotions to kick off the NHL season last month proved.  With this in mind, Boston Pizza’s latest offer should have Leafs fans salivating.

As we know after last night’s 4-2 defeat to the Lightning, nobody likes it when the Leafs lose.  Well, apart from people in Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg……….okay, scrub that. Nobody in Toronto likes it when the Leafs lose.

However, Boston Pizza is currently running a promotion in participating branches throughout Southern Ontario that may make losing slightly less painful. Or at least allow you to console yourself with some comfort eating.

Basically, whenever the Leafs play on Thursdays this season, if they lose, you win a free pizza.  The only catch is you have to actually watch the game in one of Boston Pizza’s locations to be entitled to a voucher for a free Indy pizza on a future visit.

Mind you, it’s not like you need an excuse to go out on a Thursday, especially with the Sabres in town tomorrow night at the ACC.  Besides, everyone knows Thursday is the new Friday.

For the record, the Leafs are currently 2-2 on Thursdays this season, meaning the chances of you getting a free pizza is currently a 50-50 proposition.

And with nine Thursday games remaining, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find out if your team or stomach is more important to you.

If you have any questions, please email me at paul.taylor@bluetoro.ca

You can also follow us on Twitter @bluetoro_ca and like us on Facebook

• By paul.taylor
• February 20, 2013
• Comment

The Maple Leafs have been going into overdrive lately in their attempts to apologise for the lockout.  Which is ironic really, because they’re the last team that has to beg fans to come back.

However, Leafs Nation isn’t about to complain, especially when it involves ice sculptures enclosing jerseys, free tickets to tonight’s home opener versus the Sabres and so on.

Whether it’s because everyone loves the Maple Leafs or free stuff (or both) people have been turning up in their droves all over the city during the last few days:

Yep, something tells me the Leafs don’t have to worry about their fans.

Regardless, the fun continues today as anyone who happens to go down to Nathan Phillips Square will get the chance to meet Maple Leafs Alumni, Marlies players and, unfortunately, Carlton the Bear.

On top of this, everyone will get free skate rental and the chance for tickets to the game tonight.  Cue more Leafs fans lining up:

However, while in theory this is all very good news, there is one negative aspect to consider.

For some reason (and I’m guilty of this as well), people seem to lose their minds and show a blatant disregard for everyone else whenever there’s even the slightest possibility of getting anything free.

May I present exhibit A: Parent takes child to line up in Nathan Philips Square on the off chance they’ll get free tickets for tonight’s game:

Not only is he freezing, but that kid looks seriously pissed off.  Oh well, excellent training for becoming a Maple Leafs fan I guess.

Photo credits: @MapleLeafs, @jamesontheradio & @cbcsteve

If you have any questions, email me at paul.taylor@bluetoro.ca

You can also follow us on Twitter @bluetoro_ca and like us on Facebook

• By paul.taylor
• January 21, 2013
• Comment

As we all know, unless you’ve been living under a rock recently, the Maple Leafs are currently holding an open practice at the Air Canada Centre.  However, if all the comments on sports websites and social media in general are to be believed, lots of people have vowed never to bother with the NHL again.

As such, surely this was the chance fans were looking for to let the Maple Leafs and the league know exactly how angry they are.  Yeah, we’ll show them!  They’ll be sorry for messing us around for the last four months with that farce of a lockout!

Hmmm, didn’t go quite as planned did it?  Mind you, at least everyone who has gone down is getting free coffee, hot chocolate and…………wait for it……………popcorn!

I guess it just goes to show that, no matter how annoyed you are at someone, we can all be brought around by getting free stuff.  I’ll have to remember this next time I piss someone off.

Photo credit: @mardijw @MandaPantsD

• By paul.taylor
• January 17, 2013
• Comment

I’m the first to admit I spend a lot of time teasing the Leafs and their fans, but this doesn’t change the fact that I respect the loyalty and passion of Leafs Nation and enjoy going to games at the ACC.

I’m also impressed with how far the reach of the Maple Leafs brand goes around the world. However, I didn’t quite realise how far this reach extended to:

With the lockout finally ending and a 50-game NHL season about to begin, I am ready to cheer from orbit. Go Leafs! twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield/…

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) January 6, 2013

To be fair, the photo seems appropriate given that fans often complain about how astronomical ticket prices are to go and watch the Leafs.  In fact, you might say they’re ’out of this world.’

Photo credit: @Cmdr_Hadfield

• By paul.taylor
• January 7, 2013
• Comment

I’m the first to admit I like to poke fun at the Maple Leafs whenever possible.  (What can I say, it’s just too easy.)  However, I like to think Leafs fans realise none of it is done with any malicious intent.

Unfortunately, some of my friends don’t see it that way, having accused me of using Blue Toro as a means of spreading anti-Leafs propaganda.  And, as anyone with a girlfriend/wife knows, sometimes it’s just not worth getting into a discussion with someone incapable of considering something from a rational viewpoint.

As such, I’m going to offer an olive branch by way of bringing you that rarest of commodities, a Maple Leafs feel-good story!  Today, the Leafs held their fourth annual “Operation HOHOHO” at SickKids Hosptial with the likes of Brian Burke and Wendel Clark getting involved:

Some familiar faces here picking up their toy-filled backpacks for #operationHOHOHO at @sickkids! #wendel twitter.com/MapleLeafs/sta…

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 6, 2012

It’s pretty cool to see former players like Darryl Sittler spending time with the children, who appeared to enjoy themselves:

This is Robert meeting Darryl Sittler. He’s listening to some Beastie Boys in his headphones! #operationHOHOHO twitter.com/MapleLeafs/sta…

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 6, 2012

There! Are you happy now? Can I get back to making fun of the Leafs again?  Okay, fine, I’ll wait. Until tomorrow anyway.

Photo credits: @MapleLeafs

• By paul.taylor
• December 6, 2012
• Comment

While Blue Toro is renowned for its attempts to look at the more humorous side of the Toronto sports scene, there are just some things that you can’t laugh about.  Take, for example, the NHL lockout.

Leafs Nation can’t help but be concerned about how the Maple Leafs are being affected by the current labour dispute.  However, I’m here to tell you that you can stop worrying.

Owners of both the NHL’s longest current playoff and (more importantly) Stanley Cup drought, the Leafs are often accused of caring more about making money than producing a successful product on the ice.

Today’s announcement by Forbes is unlikely to change this opinion.  According to Forbes.com the Leafs have become the first NHL franchise to be worth…(Doctor Evil voice)…$1 billion!  At least we now know the Leafs can afford to take on Roberto Luongo’s contract whenever the lockout does end.

While the valuation was undoubtedly aided by the sale of the team, this still represents a staggering figure, especially when you consider the franchise was worth $521 million last year.

I guess it also helps that, despite the rising cost of tickets and merchandise, Leafs fans keep plying the team with money.  In fact, it reminds me a lot of a needy guy desperate to keep hold of his girlfriend, who, once you get past the bleach-blonde hair, fake tan and false breasts, isn’t actually that special.

The only two NHL teams that come even remotely close to the Leafs are the New York Rangers ($750 million) and the Montreal Canadiens ($575 million.)* Overall, the average NHL franchise is now worth $282 million.

It will be interesting to see how these figures are affected during the coming twelve months, especially when you factor in the lockout.  How long it lasts and what deal is eventually reached will likely go a long way to determining the valuations next year.

Oh, in case you’re wondering, the Phoenix Coyotes are worth $134 million, which is less than the $140 million the NHL paid for them in 2009, when the previous owner went into bankruptcy.

* Shockingly, the Leafs, Rangers and Canadiens accounted for 83% of the league’s income during the 2011-12.  Hmmm, why are we having a lockout again?

• By paul.taylor
• November 28, 2012
• Comment

The Toronto Maple Leafs, even with the NHL’s longest championship drought, now at 45 years, have been able to produce a few star players and even a couple of super star ones.

Today the Hockey Hall of Fame enshrined four new members in its hallowed walls and one of those just happens to be arguably the greatest Leafs captain of all time, Mats Sundin.

Wearing number 13 in Toronto was considered a privilege after such luminaries as Ernie Whitt and Jerome “JYD” Williams, but Sundin was up to the task.

Sundin arrived in Toronto via trade from the Quebec Nordiques for Wendel Clark, among others, in the summer of 1994. Sundin made an immediate impact on the ice and with fans. Although the relationship with European born players was sometimes uneasy, Sundin quickly made everyone forget his background and concentrate on his outstanding play.

There are some critics about Sundin’s selection into the Hall of Fame because he lacked the team success at the NHL level. Sundin did lead the Leafs to the Eastern Conference finals twice, but he failed to take the team to the next level. The lack of success at the NHL level did not carry over when playing for his country. While playing for Sweden, Sundin captured three World Championship gold medals and Olympic gold in Turin in 2006.

The Leafs all-time point leader already had his jersey raised to the rafters at the Air Canada Centre, now he’ll receive another great honour just down the street, when he is officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

• By ben.trattner
• June 26, 2012
• Comment