The Guardian (Charlottetown)

MAPLE LEAF FANS EXCITED ABOUT TAVARES JOINING TEAM

Maple Leafs fans excited about Tavares joining Toronto

- BY GABRIELE ROY

Toronto Maple Leafs fans have taken to social media to express their excitement about the team’s latest acquisitio­n, John Tavares.

The Mississaug­a, Ont., born player announced his decision to join Toronto’s team Sunday, posting a picture of himself at a young age sleeping in Maple Leafs bedding.

“Not every day you can live a childhood dream,” he wrote.

The tweet has been shared thousands of times, with many welcoming him to the team and back to the city and some heralding it as “the best Canada Day gift ever.”

Prominent fans of the team, such as retired Maple Leaf Darcy Tucker and figure skater Scott Moir, have also weighed in.

“Welcome home JT,” Tucker wrote on Twitter following the announceme­nt.

“WELCOME TO THE TEAM JOHNNY T !!!! ” Moir chimed in.

Mike Commito, a hockey historian who holds a PhD in Canadian history from McMaster University, said he was “stunned but also extremely happy” about Tavares joining the Leafs.

“We never really had someone like that who is from Toronto come back to his city, especially at this time in his career when he is still at his prime,” he said.

“He immediatel­y makes the team that much better,” Commito added. “There will be very few teams who will be able

to compete with the Toronto

Maple Leafs.”

He added the acquisitio­n may even improve the team’s chance at nabbing the Stanley Cup.

“It will be fun to watch, and I think that Leafs fan have every right to be excited for the puck to drop in October,” Commito said.

 ?? CP PHOTO ?? John Tavares holds up a jersey bearing his name in the Maple Leafs locker room following a news conference in Toronto on Sunday.
CP PHOTO John Tavares holds up a jersey bearing his name in the Maple Leafs locker room following a news conference in Toronto on Sunday.

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