Leaf Fans.
How many of you as a kid mimicked the passing skills of Doug Gilmour, the wrist shot of Wendel Clark or the backhand of Mats Sundin, dreaming of one day being able to don the blue and white and win a Stanley Cup for your hometown buds?
Those were the days…
But now your dream is over, as you sit in front of your screens, hurling obscenities and demands through a monitor like an angry substitute teacher, dumbfounded by the lack of ‘heart’ and ‘passion’ a team SEEMS to display when they give up a (4-goal!) lead and lose the hockey game.
How dare they play so poorly!? Where’s the drive, the passion to WIN!?
Well, it’s easier said than done.
While we act like professional hockey analysts on what feels like a nightly basis, the reality is these players CANNOT succeed without playing with some sort of passion or heart. Eventually, their lack of effort will stain their game too deeply to go unnoticed, ruining their chances of staying in the lineup.
Having said that, there is a vast difference between playing for the name on the back of the sweater and the passion required to win for the name on the front.
Yes, you must look out for yourself, but this isn’t an individualized sport. Team success depends on everyone doing their part and pulling their weight to allow for collaborative team success.
Now, this isn’t a rant on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ inability to play as a team nor is it a shot at their on-ice play in general. This piece aims to focus on the culture of the Maple Leafs, more specifically using home-grown talent to achieve the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup. Using that hunger and desire displayed as kids and fans, incorporating it into the Maple Leafs’ winning culture to strive for greatness and success.
But let’s break down how this passion can impact a team’s ability to win on a professional level.
Hockey is Canada’s game. As early as the Original Six-era, the league was DOMINATED by Canadian-born players and the strongest hockey markets routinely hail from Canada.
Think about this crazy statistic. Of the 5263 Canadian-born players to ever play in the National Hockey League, 2326 of them were born in Ontario. That’s 44% of ALL Canadian NHL players hailing from the country’s most populated province. Needless to say, you have to think the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise had an effect on these Ontario-born players.
But how often have Ontario-born players had not only the pleasure to play on their hometown team but to make a lasting impact to become a successful squad in their given years?
Let’s look at their last Stanley Cup championship (I know, ALL THE WAY BACK in 1967).
This All-Canadian team of pure talent included the likes of George Armstrong, Ron Ellis, Tim Horton, Red Kelly, Frank Mahovlich, Bob Pulford, Jim Pappin, Eddie Shack, Brian Conacher and Larry Hillman, all of whom called Ontario home. Reaching as far North as Timmins, Ontario, this band of brothers were part of the strong core of Leafs’ teams that won 4 Stanley Cups in 6 seasons during those 1960s teams led by Head Coach Punch Imlach.
Listen, we know the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t been very consistent in their success in the postseason and we know they haven’t even been to the finals since they last won in 1967. But when we focus on those Leaf teams that DID have some playoff success, see if you can pick up on an ongoing trend.
During the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons, the Maple Leafs made the Conference Finals both years and each year sat one game away from a Stanley Cup Finals berth. Those squads consisted of impact players like Doug Gilmour, Dave Andreychuk, Jamie Macoun, Todd Gill, Mike Foligno, Peter Zezel, Mark Osbourne, Mike Gartner and John Cullen. This group of Ontario-born players were integral parts of those Leaf runs accounting for 9 of the top 15-point producers in both those seasons combined. But their impact as leaders on those teams far outweighed their ability to score as their passion and drive were key motivators for their season and playoff success.
Fast-Forward to the Leafs next run of playoff success, where they reached the conference finals AGAIN in both the 1998-99 and 2001-02 seasons. Aside from Swedish-born team captain Mats Sundin, the Leafs roster consisted of Ontario-born players whose hunger and desire to contend resulted in massive potential and expectations that the Maple Leafs have been craving since their recent move out of Maple Leafs Gardens and into the (then) Air Canada Centre. Led by local product and Keswick native Curtis Joseph, the Leafs loaded their lineup with home-grown talents like Steve Sullivan, Mike Johnson, Alyn McCauley, Tie Domi, Kris and Derek King and even brought back fan favourite Wendel Clark for another run at the Stanley Cup. Looking to build off that success the following year, the Maple Leafs added the likes of Shayne Corson, Bryan McCabe and former champion with the Calgary Flames Gary Roberts to catapult the Maple Leafs to 3rd place in the overall standings. Unfortunately, they fell short AGAIN, this time to the Carolina Hurricanes who were funny enough, led by Ontario-born legends Ron Francis, Rod Brind’Amour and Jeff O’Neil. While these Ontario players were not as impactful in the point department as those teams from the early 90s, you cannot deny how important their passion and work ethic meant to the team’s success.
And then, the Dark Ages of the franchise returned again.
Over the next decade and a half, The Toronto Maple Leafs failed to develop their team culture and farm system leading to an inconsistent on-ice product, causing the departure of local favourites and timely legends (i.e., Sundin’s forgettable exit). Over time, the organization would try to mask their poor management skills and questionable culture choices by developing a more ‘family-friendly’ marketing approach to attract younger fans whose parents and older siblings haven’t had real reason to cheer over the last few seasons. The focus was aimed more on promoting (or exploiting) the “winning” history and tradition of the franchise even though it’s been over 50 years (!) since they last won a championship. From elementary song choices to demotivating goal music to shameless slogans, the Maple Leafs franchise was pulling out all the stops to keep their already developed yet somewhat mishandled fan base from looking elsewhere for success and entertainment.
One of their more annoying marketing ploys was “The Passion That Unites Us All” slogan that was an obvious attempt to use the ‘tradition’ of this storied franchise to lure in fans or keep current ones from forgetting “Hey! We’re an original six franchise who won multiple cups during a time where no more than SIX teams played in this league and since expansion in 1967, we have yet to even make the finals! But still, let your passion for our team keep you from leaving or forgetting about why were so important to you!”
Right.
This birthed a plethora of casual and misinformed Leafs fans that believed just because we were a dominant franchise 50 years ago, means we deserve to be respected and recognized for our ‘tradition’ of winning. It continues to be the driving force behind so many hockey fans’ hatred for our fan base yet increasing the amount of frustration those true fans have as they recognize the lack of success and effort this franchise continues to deliver year in and year out. (Okay, okay. I’m starting to rant here. But stay with me, it’s all for good reason).
The plus side of that is how it’s led to the understanding of what the Maple Leafs should’ve done: focus less on how the product looks off the ice and more on what can help them to be successful ON the ice. Much like they’re doing right now.
Enter Brendan Shanahan.
Hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs as their Team President in April 2014, a year after their monumental collapse in Game 7 vs. the Boston Bruins. A game that seemed to shift the mentality of a franchise who had no sense of direction or stability needed to succeed in the NHL.
A rugged Hall-of-Fame winger, Shanahan amassed over 1300 points and 656 goals in 15 NHL seasons winning three Stanley Cups with those DOMINANT Detroit Red Wings teams of the 1990s. He is also one of 29 NHLers to be part of the elite ‘Triple Gold Club’ winning Olympic Gold, World Championship Gold and a Stanley Cup. Responsible for the majority of Shanahan’s accomplishments was his offensive prowess coupled with his aggressive style of play that made him such a feared and dominant opponent in the rough and truculent 1990s-era of the NHL. It’s important to note that Shanahan wore a letter in the corner of his jersey in almost every game he played adding leadership qualities to his already impressive resume. In relation, who was the last successful front office executive to help guide the Leafs to those successful playoff runs? Hall-Of-Famer, six-time Stanley Cup champion AND Ontario-born goaltender Ken Dryden.
From the moment Brendan Shanahan stepped on that podium, you could feel a shift.
A shift in thinking, planning, organization and commitment.
A native of Mimico, Ontario, Shanahan has stated that a ‘change of culture’ was needed when he was hired. He has numerously mentioned how lucky he is to be in this position as a ‘local kid growing up a Leafs fan’ but doesn’t shy away from the need to work in order to succeed.
“People who are successful can sometimes look very elegant about it, and they can sometimes look very smooth. But there is a fire in their belly that is very, very difficult to satisfy” he told The Hockey Writers in an interview this past November. “My kids will say, ‘oh, you won three Stanley Cups, dad, you’re so lucky,’ and I say that means 18 times I lost – like 18 times I felt like a loser all summer long”, proving that the fire still burns bright for Shanahan to win and that’s great news for Leafs fans.
His passion and skill that made him so successful on the ice is now being utilized to create a winner while he sits in the head office of one of the most storied franchises in North American sports.
“I want to grab our young players and just say, you know it is like children, it’s like your kids sometimes you want to say I don’t want you to make the mistake I made. I want you to learn what I learned but learn it earlier so you can have more fun doing this, but they have to learn it on their own. They have to figure it out on their own.” Much different from the usual “I’m excited to be here/We will do what we can to win” jargon that has plagued the franchise for far too long.
You get the sense that Shanahan aims to target hungry and ambitious players like himself as he understands that’s what it takes to win in the playoffs and contend for a Stanley Cup championship.
So, who are these local players Shanahan has brought in to help accomplish this feat?
Mitch Marner
We start with one of the Maple Leafs’ prized possessions. Born in Markham, Ontario and drafted 4th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Marner has been built up as a superstar ever since his days with the Vaughan Kings and Don Mills Flyers of the Greater Toronto (Minor) Hockey League and the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League. Although offered a scholarship by the University of Michigan, Marner opted to stay local and play with the London Knights of the OHL where he won a Memorial Cup. Despite his size, Marner’s skill and work ethic has made him a go-to player on ANY team he has played for and his role with the Leaf’s is no different, currently tied for 5th in NHL scoring with 30 points in just 21 games. Let’s not forget to mention how he also plays the penalty kill and is not afraid to block shots in the final minutes of a one-goal Toronto lead.
John Tavares
A bonafide leader during his entire hockey career, Tavares followed a similar path as teammate Mitch Marner by staying local. A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Tavares also started in the GTHL playing for both the Mississauga Braves and Senators. He was then drafted by the Oshawa Generals of the OHL and eventually traded to the London Knights although never winning a championship with either team. Drafted by the New York Islanders, Tavares enjoyed a variety of productive seasons where he would lead the team in scoring but unable to advance far into the playoffs. He eventually signed with the Maple Leafs and named team captain as the fire to win burns brighter than ever for JT, again spelling great news for Leaf fans.
Jason Spezza
Spezza has been an impact player ever since his early junior hockey days in Mississauga and Brampton all the way to his current role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. As an elite centre with the Ottawa Senators, Spezza was able to make a lasting impact in the league with his playmaking ability, powerful shot and high faceoff percentage despite the number of missed games due to injury. Of the 15 + seasons Speeza has been in the NHL, he has only been able to play all 82 games in just two seasons. However, night in and night out he showcases that drive and work ethic, utilizing his big body to knock his opponents off the puck and sheer power to produce offensively. His dominant mixture of size, skill and effortless hockey sense has allowed him to be a mainstay in the NHL since his 2001 draft year. But he’s not even the oldest player on the team…
Joe Thornton
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ oldest player has truly relished in his role as the team’s ‘resident father’ who looks to support, motivate and teach a youthful Leafs squad about what it takes to win. While not as impactful on the scoresheet as he has in previous years, Thornton’s vision, hockey sense and work ethic can be nothing short of awe-inspiring to a handful of young talent looking to find their voice and name in this very-competitive league. Most notably, his work alongside Matthews and Marner has influenced the young duo both on and off the ice while revamping his point production now that he has such incredible talent beside him. Overall, seeing the consistent work ethic of a 41-year-old legend motivates the younger Leafs to persevere and grind it out on every shift to fight for a shot at a Stanley Cup.
Zach Hyman
A local kid, Hyman has been with the Maple Leafs organization since 2015 and a regular in the lineup since 2016. While there isn’t much to say about his offensive skill set, his defensive play and work ethic has catapulted him as one of the most respected and appreciated Maple Leafs players in recent memory. For someone who has trouble scoring on breakaways at times and even earned the nickname ‘Empty Net’ Hyman, he continually has found ample time on the Leafs’ top lines for good reason. The epitome of work ethic, tenacity and heart, Hyman would block a shot, take a hit, dump the puck, chase it down and set up one of his teammates for the goal all in one shift on a consistent basis. For Leaf fans starving for a championship and understanding what it takes to win, he is everything and more to Leafs Nation and his teammates.
Jake Muzzin
As far back as the days of Dmitry Yushkevish, Danny Markov, Bryan McCabe, Wade Belak and to a lesser extent (dare I say) Dion Phaneuf, the Maple Leafs have had difficulty finding that hard hitting defenseman who can provide that balanced mixture of skill and toughness to the back end without sacrificing a defense-first mentality. Enter Jake Muzzin, who after his Stanley Cup and Gold Medal runs has evolved into one of the harder hitting defensemen in the NHL. Standing at 6’3, 214 pounds, Muzzin’s ability to punish forwards along the boards and within his own zone has been a crucial change to Toronto’s defensive core that has been starving for a physical and rugged defenseman capable of making his opponents think twice before rushing into the zone with the puck, choosing to dump it in instead.
TJ Brodie
Another local kid who dreamt of donning the Blue and White, Brodie arrived in Toronto this year after spending the better part of the decade in Calgary alongside one of the more reliable defensemen in the last 10+ seasons, Mark Giordano. Learning off of one another, Brodie and Giordano formed one of the steadier defensive pairings who encompass the perfect combination of skill, grit and production teams crave for one of their defensemen let alone two. Although his first few games were forgettable, Brodie has finally come into his own with his childhood team, pairing up with Leafs’ offensive stud on the back-end Morgan Rielly. His defensive prowess and hockey IQ allows Rielly to take his chances rushing the puck while Brodie holds down the fort in case of a turnover. He is a welcome addition to a group that has (over the years) fallen into the trap of focusing too much on offense resulting in giving up too many offensive chances for their opponents.
Travis Dermott
This local Newmarket product has been working his way up the lineup ladder for the last few years now and is slowly coming into his own as a useful all-around defenseman who can log in anywhere from 10-15 minutes a night. While his play has regressed over the last few years due to injury and a backlog of defensemen, Dermott continues to show that there is plenty of room to grow into a mainstay on any franchise in a league starving for consistency on defense. Though not expected to be physical, Dermott has no problem using his 6-foot, 215-pound frame to throw his weight around and never be scared to back down from a challenge just like multiple Leaf Alumni before him.
It is because of that passion and fire, why Leafs Nation over the years develop such a love-hate relationship with players like William Nylander. While his numbers don’t lie, his body language might. He has the talent and skill to be dominant (as he has shown) but when he is in a slump, his passive skating and on-ice demeanor seems to translate into his lack of effort to work for his success, almost appearing as if he doesn’t want to be here. At least Matthews will muck it up in the corners every so often or Marner will lay his body down to block a shot and they too are known to go through slumps of their own. Any hockey fan will tell you that effort and determination trumps skill 99% of the time during the playoffs because at the end of the day Leafs fans are getting tired of regular season success without playoff success.
But it does raise the question: what makes these GTA-born players different? Why is having GTA-born talent so important to this team? Because these players are built for it. Whether they know it or not. They are born to win at home because they have been through it as fans. The feeling of winning it for yourself in the town that is responsible for your love for the game in the first place can be an excellent motivator for achieving success.
In the future, I’d like to see the franchise do more in connecting with their GTA (and beyond) roots of Ontario to develop the youth into (potentially) future Maple Leaf stars where the commitment and drive to succeed will evolve into a consistent winning culture in Toronto.
But for now, it’s safe to say that this core of Ontario-born players is looking to feed off their childhood dreams of playing for their hometown squad to send the Toronto Maple Leafs over the top. So far, they look as if they have a real shot at finally making it happen.
And with a little luck of the Irish, maybe Shanny and the local kids can pull this one off.
-David Celebre
Twitter: @davidceleb