Sports

90 years of Maple Leaf Gardens memories

‘Toronto has grown up, out of the bush leagues and into the large time’ learn Toronto Telegram when Gardens opened

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Friday marks the ninetieth anniversary of Maple Leaf Gardens.

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Most individuals know its story, constructed towards all odds within the Melancholy, saving the Leafs from leaving city, turning into Canada’s most well-known multi-purpose constructing till closing in 1999.
Immediately, 60 Carlton St. nonetheless stands, partially as a hockey rink the place the opposite Authentic Six arenas have vanished. It holds one million recollections inside its 4 sturdy partitions and The Solar tapped into a number of:      

“Toronto has grown up, out of the bush leagues and into the large time.” – The Toronto Telegram newspaper on the opening of the Gardens Nov. 12, 1931, with 13,233 attending a 2-1 loss to Chicago.

***

In lower than six months the bottom was cleared and Gardens was constructed, led by Leafs supervisor Conn Smythe and financier J.P. Bickell.

“Partly it was achieved as a result of the boys who constructed it believed in what they had been doing,” stated Smythe.

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So eager was Smythe to listen to what individuals considered the brand new palace on opening night time, he jumped to every ticket line to snoop on followers, practically arrested by a cop who thought he was attempting to sneak in.

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“The essential date is Might 31, 1931 (when the earliest Gardens blueprints had been stamped).   5 months later, individuals are within the constructing watching hockey. That alone is totally astonishing. They stated 1,000 individuals a day labored on the Gardens at its peak, but when that they had 2,000, it wouldn’t have mattered. It’s the challenge administration that’s outstanding. We couldn’t have finished that right this moment.”

– Rick Hahn, design marketing consultant, in 2021.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltenders Terry Sawchuk (left) and Johnny Bower share a happy moment in the team’s Maple Leaf Gardens dressing room during the mid-1960s. COURTESY JOHNNY BOWER COLLECTION
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltenders Terry Sawchuk (left) and Johnny Bower share a cheerful second within the crew’s Maple Leaf Gardens dressing room through the mid-Sixties. COURTESY JOHNNY BOWER COLLECTION

***

Toronto ‘Tremendous Fan’ Tommy Gaston, who’d watched the Leafs play at Mutual St. Enviornment as a boy, recalled the opening.

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“A number of soup and fish (tuxedos, tails and prime hats). However my Dad made positive I had a swimsuit and tie on. It was an actual occasion. You walked within the first time and that dome was so huge. Every little thing smelled new and the pink, inexperienced and gray seats had been so shiny.”

***

Within the late Forties, when meticulous Hap Day was coach, he’d get constructing supervisor Don ‘Shanty’ McKenzie to telephone the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, every follow day for the official time.
“Hap would then set every clock (one at both finish of the Gardens) by the second after which his stopwatch.”

-trainer Bob Haggert.

***   

Doug Morris was the Gardens’ progressive first superintendent, his first problem being the cavernous house that killed sound.

“Dad hung nice large acoustic blankets within the ceiling to reduce the reverberation,” stated son Paul. “Earlier than that, sound took about six seconds to succeed in the highest; after (the blankets) went up, it got here all the way down to round two.

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“My first Gardens reminiscence is being 5 years previous and Dad taking me there on a quiet Sunday with my new skates. We went downstairs the place the large diesel turbines had been (put in to preserve war-time energy). Dad went to the referees’ room to get me a chair and I pushed it across the ice whereas he labored. That grew to become our common factor.”

Maple Leaf Gardens. Stan Behal/Toronto Sun files
Maple Leaf Gardens. Stan Behal/Toronto Solar information Picture by Stan Behal/Toronto Solar/QMI Company /Stan Behal/Toronto Solar/QMI Company

***

“You’d undergo the turnstiles and all you’d hear was ‘popcorn, applications, chilly drinks’. Then via these small tunnels (known as vomitoriums) you got here out to all that house and color that overwhelmed you. The lights had been dimmed (for O Canada), then all got here again on directly. As a child you’re pondering ‘is that this actual?’ And you may hear each puck hitting the sticks, the grinding skates, photographs off the boards.”

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– Leafs historian Mike Wilson.

***

Celeste D’Agostino started as an usherette within the ‘70s and is now a supervisor at Scotiabank Enviornment.

“The Gardens was a smaller entity, like a household and that included the followers. You noticed their kids develop up.

“I went down anticipating a proper interview. The girl stated ‘right here’s a uniform. If it suits, the job’s yours’. We did that for years, hiring usherettes as a result of our uniforms needed to final two to 3 years. After I began it was a costume with a jacket, a pillbox hat and white gloves.

“A comic story, in the future Walt McKechnie requested me why all the ladies had been carrying white gloves. I don’t why, however I stated ‘it means they’re virgins’.

“I began with the Toros. You needed to work your approach as much as the NHL. I began within the Southwest nook, then went to centre ice East golds between the benches. I donated my final uniform to the Hockey Corridor Of Fame.”

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***

“I as soon as acquired hit within the knee by an Al MacInnis slap shot. I labored behind the penalty field the place the glass dipped. Fortunately it was simply my knee, however for 4 months I had a deep bruise. It was okay, a part of the job. I didn’t get to maintain the puck, we all the time gave it to a younger fan. I can’t think about a greater job. It was an honour to work there.”

– Usherette Catherine Towle.

Harold Ballard seated at Maple Leaf Gardens. Toronto Sun files
Harold Ballard seated at Maple Leaf Gardens. Toronto Solar information

***

“There was the story that Harold Ballard offered tickets for 2 Beatles exhibits once they’d solely agreed to at least one. That was true, however the different one from that day, that he turned the water fountains off and offered solely massive smooth drinks … I by no means noticed a fountain on the Gardens in my life and there was solely ever one dimension of drink. It’s full b.s., however he let it go for many years as a result of it was story.”

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– former Leafs normal supervisor Gord Stellick.

Sept 8 1964 Beatles Carlton Street, outside Maple Leaf Gardens, was jammed with Beatle fans at the afternoon concert. Files
Sept 8 1964 Beatles Carlton Avenue, outdoors Maple Leaf Gardens, was jammed with Beatle followers on the afternoon live performance. Information

***

“The morning after a recreation, King Clancy would typically come into our little hockey workplace, replaying the earlier night time. He’d make the secretaries rise up and place them like defencemen and it was so humorous, this little previous man in a swimsuit, saying ‘ya know who might actually hearth the puck? Sprague Cleghorn’. He wouldn’t even point out somebody like Howe. We had an previous submitting cupboard with puck dents from King exhibiting gamers tips on how to shoot.”

“Each night time was magic for me. I had a key that opened the constructing door and one which opened the dressing room. I used to be the youngest GM at 30 and the youngest ex-GM at 31.”

– Gord Stellick.

***

“I used to be somewhat man about yay excessive. My first recreation we sat within the second final row on the prime of the greys. The performed the Minnesota North Stars. The entire night time flew by, however it was simply superior and I’ve cherished the Leafs ever since.”

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– Fan Jason Bassett.

***

“We’d depend about 500 individuals in a standing room part meant for 200. It turned out some ushers had been promoting the house for $5 an individual. The night time we first put up a closed-circuit digital camera to catch them, one usher noticed it and we had movie of him throwing his jacket over it. Some ushers had been promoting their very own booze to followers. It was a cottage business.”

– former enterprise operations supervisor Bob Stellick.

***

‘Banana’ Joe Lamantia sat beside each ruffian from Tiger Williams to Tie Domi because the penalty timekeeper for 40 years.

“I often discuss to anybody who comes into the field. Tiger was an actual gents, however generally he’d begin enjoying with the buttons on my jacket.”

***

“One of many nice issues concerning the Gardens was that when the little man in Row D behind the bench needed to go to the toilet, we’d all see him rise up and need to step by the coaches and people large gamers, with no glass between them.”

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– Hockey Evening In Canada producer John Shannon.

***

No barrier between the benches additionally meant Toronto coach Pat Burns might go after rival Barry Melrose in a heated recreation through the 1993 playoffs when he started mocking Burns’ weight. However there have been sufficient Leafs personnel and spectators to cease him.

“Let’s simply say Barry was a fortunate man that night time,” opined Toronto GM Cliff Fletcher.

Doug Gilmour #93 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in game against the Boston Bruins at the Maple Leaf Gardens. Steve Babineau/NHL via Getty Images
Doug Gilmour #93 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in recreation towards the Boston Bruins on the Maple Leaf Gardens. Steve Babineau/NHL through Getty Photos

***

“Within the ‘70s we had golds behind the Leafs bench and I all the time wearing a swimsuit. Who might overlook taking a leak in that large trough within the males’s washroom?”

– Fan Mike Shea.

***

Paul Morris grew to become the P.A. man within the early ‘60s and by no means missed a recreation.

“(Prime Minister) Lester B. Pearson was dropping the puck (for the season opener). I used to be standing behind the penalty bench the place I used to leap in as timekeeper if somebody was away, with Stafford Smythe and Harold sitting behind me. Then Purple Barber (the unique emcee was getting on in years) introduces him as ‘Lister Beer Particular person’. Only a slip of the tongue, however Stafford turned to Ballard and stated: ‘Do away with him’.”

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Paul Morris in his corner ‘office’ at Maple Leaf Gardens where he served as P.A. announcer, among other duties, from 1960 until the arena’s closing in 1999. Supplied
Paul Morris in his nook ‘workplace’ at Maple Leaf Gardens the place he served as P.A. announcer, amongst different duties, from 1960 till the world’s closing in 1999. Equipped Picture by Picture courtesy Paul Patskou

***  

“Paul had probably the most well-known voice. As soon as, Bob and I had been at a marriage and requested to go outdoors and decide a Paul Morris imitation contest with 4 guys, all giving it every part that had. If that’s the sincerest type of flattery, he’s finished effective.”

– Gord Stellick

***

“Gamers didn’t suppose they’d made the NHL till Paul introduced their identify.”

– constructing superintendent Wayne Gillespie.

***

Ron Hewat was the radio voice of the Leafs within the ‘70s and ‘80s.

“One night time I noticed I had no intermission visitor and phoned all the way down to (then-media relations director) Howie Starkman. A couple of minutes later Eddie Shack, who was injured, comes barging into the Gondola, shouting ‘I’m right here to save lots of ya Hewie!’.

“I stated ‘Eddie, it’s a nationwide broadcast, please don’t screw round’. He says ‘okay, okay’, we come out of business, I introduce him, and ask the character of his damage.

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‘Effectively Ron, the plate in my head shifted’.

“We simply began laughing. CKFH had a tape of music and information to fill with and so they had to make use of it the entire intermission as a result of we couldn’t cease.”

***

“My favorite recreation was eliminating Chicago in 1986. The subscribers had first crack at playoff tickets, however no less than a 3rd didn’t need them for a crew that had barely acquired in that 12 months, so (laborious core) followers had been within the reds and golds. We received the primary two of a best-of-five in Chicago and destroyed them on the Gardens. Individuals had been throwing brooms on the Hawks, my Mother and aunt had been within the crowd, becoming a member of within the ‘Secord sucks’ chant. You would like that might’ve been each recreation with that form of crowd.”

– Gord Stellick.

***               

“In 1973, I used to be 11, my first 12 months enjoying aggressive hockey. I used to be the goalie for Pape Recreation Centre and we made the Metropolis finals on the Gardens. I’d watched Hockey Evening like each child, so my perspective was ceaselessly remodeled once I skated out in my blue and white pads. The constructing was big and I keep in mind pondering of Bower, Plante, Gamble, Mother or father and now there I used to be. We received and MLG by no means regarded extra stunning to me.”

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– fan Roger Dey.

***

“Everybody knew ‘Pops’, the ice cream bar salesman. Lots of these individuals had day jobs or no jobs and weren’t paid effectively. However they stored coming again to work for love of the Gardens and the Leafs.”

– crew photographer Graig Abel.

***

On Might 2, 1967 the Leafs beat Montreal for his or her final Cup thus far.

“What a thrill to be there,” stated Mike Murphy, future Leafs coach and NHL exec, whose father had season’s tickets because the ‘50s and was as soon as in a position to squeeze Mike and his sister into one seat. “It made you respect what the crew meant to everybody.

“I do know the Leafs didn’t keep lengthy on the market to rejoice, not like groups right this moment. My Dad most likely stated ‘let’s get outta right here’, most likely anxious about his parking spot. Then you definately suppose that (54) years have handed.”

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Former Toronto Maple Leafs stars Frank Mahovlich, left to right, Red Kelly and Johnny Bower take a final look at the depths of Maple Leaf Gardens as they prepare to head on to the ice for the closing ceremonies following the Leafs final game in the Gardens in Toronto on February 13, 1999. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
Former Toronto Maple Leafs stars Frank Mahovlich, left to proper, Purple Kelly and Johnny Bower take a remaining have a look at the depths of Maple Leaf Gardens as they put together to move on to the ice for the closing ceremonies following the Leafs remaining recreation within the Gardens in Toronto on February 13, 1999. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press

***

When George Armstrong clinched the Cup with an empty netter, the Gardens erupted.

“Probably the most spontaneous cheer I heard in 50 years right here,” stated usher Dennis Goodwin, who celebrated with followers within the East greens with champagne he poured into Dixie cups.

“You must watch out about individuals who say ‘I used to be there’,” added Rolf Bjordammen, who was current as a subscriber. “The Gardens solely held 16,000, however 45,000 will let you know they had been there.”

***    

Dave Reece was the unlucky Boston goalie for Darryl Sittler’s 10-point night time, Feb. 7, 1976

“First aim, the puck had eyes. Then the (bleep) hit the fan. The sport took on a lifetime of its personal. It was time to name the hearth division. the Lovin’ Spoonful (track) ‘Do You Consider In Magic?’ That was his night time of magic and mine to overlook.”

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***

Future voice of the Leafs Joe Bowen was on the town from Sudbury for Sittler’s large night time on a boys’ weekend and fairly over-served by the point he and 5 friends arrived.

“I inform Darryl ‘I heard you had fairly a recreation, as a result of I don’t keep in mind a lot of it’.”

***

One in all Bowen’s friends, having already thrown his hat on the ice after Sittler’s first three objectives, was in search of something to toss after the file breaking ninth level and tried to separate the cushion from his gold seat.

“He really did, however earlier than he might get it over the glass, they kicked him out and he missed the tenth level.”

Maple Leafs – Last game at the Gardens. McDonald and Sittler and Salming applaud the Stanley Cup winning Leaf players. Michael Peake/Toronto Sun files
Maple Leafs – Final recreation on the Gardens. McDonald and Sittler and Salming applaud the Stanley Cup profitable Leaf gamers. Michael Peake/Toronto Solar information

***

“For video games and concert events, we trusted everybody, however simply in case, we put tamper-proof screws behind these previous hockey pictures within the foyer. I need to say, we might have the raunchiest rock and roll exhibits there, however younger individuals handled these photos with reverence”

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– Wayne Gillespie

***

Foster Hewitt’s affect in radio helped the Gardens get constructed and when deciding how excessive his Gondola ought to be hung above the ice, he went to an Eaton’s division retailer, climbed the steps till he couldn’t clearly see faces of important ground consumers, stopping at 5 storeys. However in six many years, he stayed principally within the background.

“He’d take one piece of paper, not all of the stats and stuff they’ve now,” stated Haggert. “He’d go upstairs and say ‘Hiya hockey followers in Canada and the US’, give the lineup modifications and go to the nationwide anthems. After the sport, he’d go all the way down to the press room, perhaps the Sizzling Range, have a beer and go residence. In case you had been a participant, you by no means noticed him.”

***

Paul Patskou grew from a Marlies and Leafs fan to the crew’s main movie archivist.

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“I consider all of the little outlets within the Gardens in its full glory. Hap Day had a drug retailer, the entrance foyer espresso store the place so many hockey offers had been finished, Punch Imlach’s first day when the constructing individuals wouldn’t let him in as a result of they didn’t know who he was. I just like the story about Clancy stopping in at times (from Leaf follow at Mutual St. Enviornment) to see the constructing’s progress. He’d search for, shake his head and say ‘the place they gonna discover sufficient individuals to fill this place’?”

***   

“It was actually an previous barn. I used to see mice operating underneath the bench. However it had environment, due to the historical past, the individuals and all these bizarre little corridors and humorous locations. The brand new (SBA) is just too large, not as intimate.

“Harold used to present me ice as soon as every week to follow my determine skating and let my Mother placed on a charity ice present. That was after my Dad was not teaching, so he did have his good facet.” – Casey Kelly, daughter of Purple Kelly

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***

Organist Jimmy Holmstrom was “employed on a whim” by Gord Stellick in 1987 and continues to be at SBA.

“Knock on wooden, I haven’t missed a recreation. It’s simply the perfect job on the earth.

“When Wendel Clark got here again after his commerce to Quebec, I performed a cassette of the ‘Welcome Again Kotter’ theme. The entire constructing went silent, every part stopped and even the officers went to the bench to let the track end. There have been tears in everybody’s eyes, even Wendel’s. It was the perfect second of my life, regardless that I’m paid to make individuals stomp and clap.”

Maple Leafs’ Wendel Clark pummels Minnesota’s Dave Mackey at Maple Leaf Gardens back in the day. Craig Robertson/Toronto Sun files
Maple Leafs’ Wendel Clark pummels Minnesota’s Dave Mackey at Maple Leaf Gardens again within the day. Craig Robertson/Toronto Solar information

***  

Harry Sinden has “seen all of it” at MLG, from his Marlborough plating   days, to teaching/managing Boston to operating Workforce Canada ‘72, their solely residence win in Toronto.      

“I am going again to five:30 a.m. streetcar rides to follow with the Marlies, then dodging the guards till Leafs recreation time. I consider the subscriber’s seats my father shared, watching Milt Schmidt play and going with my grandfather to see Whipper Watson and the wrestlers.

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“I assumed Bobby Orr grew to become the rationale there was a Toronto-Boston rivalry. They’d booed Bobby from the beginning on the Gardens, however knew how good he was. (In 1969) we’d simply eradicated the Leafs 4 straight and I used to be strolling to our room. Imlach was forward of me and I noticed Stafford Smythe come up and say, ‘you’re via’.’ I used to be elated we’d received, however surprised {that a} man like Punch was gone.”

***

When Ballard purchased the Hamilton Tiger-Cats within the late ‘70s, he put the soccer crew’s brand on the ice. Tiger Williams would faucet it for good luck earlier than video games, however the many Argonauts followers on the Bruins had sufficient and   Sinden plotted revenge earlier than a street recreation.
“We acquired some Argos flags that stretched the size of our bench,” he stated. “I instructed the TV guys ensure and shoot it through the anthems. Harold was mad at me for years.”

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***

“I used to be working backstage earlier than a Rush live performance, having dinner, studying the paper. A person came visiting and requested properly to take a seat at my desk. I stated ‘sure’, not even trying up, till a hand got here out and he stated, ‘hello, I’m Johnny Money’. He was there as a result of (daughter) Rosanne Money was an enormous Rush fan, he was taping the Tommy Hunter Present on the CBC subsequent door and wished their autograph for her. At intermission, I instructed the usher outdoors Rush’s dressing room {that a} nation music icon was outdoors and so they couldn’t wait to fulfill him.”

– Wayne Gillespie.

Freddie Mercury of the group Queen at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1978. Michael Peake/Toronto Sun files
Freddie Mercury of the group Queen at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1978. Michael Peake/Toronto Solar information Picture by Michael Peake/Toronto Solar

***

Nostalgia dominated town within the days of he Gardens earlier than the final recreation on Feb. 13, 1999.

“There was a pair doing the wild factor up in a personal field the opposite night time,” stated an usher as closing night time loomed. “I suppose they wished to say they had been the final to do it on the Gardens.”

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***

“I cried most of that day. I’d been right here a very long time. However I acquired to escort Mush March out on the ice (the 91-year-old scored the primary aim in constructing historical past for the Blackhawks). He stored saying ‘I can’t hear you’. He was deaf, however nobody had instructed me.” – Celeste D’Agostino.           

***

“When Grandpa was the follow goalie, I might go on the ice and skate with the Leafs. My favorite night time was once they raised his No. 1 banner with Turk Broda’s. They let me come all the way down to the bench with the household Camcorder, however not on the ice as I wasn’t insured. That was effective with me, however then all of the photographers stated ‘you’re popping out with us, child’. I’d all the time puzzled what it appeared like at centre ice and it was deafening.”

– Johnny Bower III.

We apologize, however this video has did not load.

***

“Your sentimental feeling for the grand previous constructing has given me nice encouragement to try to preserve her. It’s superb the quantity of people that really feel the identical approach you do. I doubt it could ever come to be that it’s demolished.”

– Ballard, replying to a fan’s letter in 1973, promising to not raze the Gardens if the Leafs ever moved to a brand new residence.

Leafs Vs. Chicago the last Leafs game at Maple Leaf Gardens. Craig Robertson/Toronto Sun files
Leafs Vs. Chicago the final Leafs recreation at Maple Leaf Gardens. Craig Robertson/Toronto Solar information

lhornby@postmedia.com

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