For Leaf fans, it’s hockey in Paradise
Toronto Maple Leafs open training camp at Paradise Double Ice Complex today
The Toronto Maple Leafs hit the ice in Paradise today for the opening of their 2019 training camp, the first of three straight days of practice and scrimmages at the town’s Double Ice Complex.
It’s not the first time the Leafs have moved camp outside Toronto — twice Toronto staged camp in Halifax, and the team held its training camp in the Niagara region of Ontario the past two years — but it makes a first for metro St. John’s and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Toronto was scheduled to hold camp in St. John's back in 2001, when the St. John’s Maple Leafs were the American Hockey League affiliate. However, that was cancelled because of the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States.
But the Leafs did manage to play the Blue-white intrasquad game that year, and an NHL exhibition against the Montreal Canadiens at Mile One Centre.
The Leafs and Senators also played an NHL exhibition at Mile One in 2003.
A pre-season friendly is also planned as part of the 2019 camp, with the Senators again visiting Mile One Tuesday night.
Drop of the puck for that game, which was sold out in minutes, is 7 p.m.
At 7 o’clock Sunday evening at Mile One, the Leafs’ Alumni will play a team comprised of members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Two charters touched down at St. John’s Airport Thursday carrying 75 players, and another 50 coaches, front office officials, hockey operations, game operations and PR and marketing staff.
All will be staying downtown St. John’s, and transported to and from Paradise.
“It’s really quite the production,” said Glenn Stanford, president of the Kelly Cup champion Newfoundland Growlers, the Leafs’ ECHL affiliate.
“They’re basically taking their dressing room, equipment room, medical and training rooms and setting them up in Paradise,” he said. “The amount of equipment being shipped here is quite something.
“Full credit to the Leafs. They’re all in, and their marketing and PR teams have done a wonderful job bringing the Maple Leafs’ brand to Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Starting 10:30 this morning, players will take to the two surfaces in Paradise until 1 p.m.
Events inside the Paradise Double Ice Complex today through Sunday will be ticketed, and fans wishing to gain entry will require a paper ticket. All tickets are free and will be made available on each day of training camp on a first-come, firstserved basis, starting 8 a.m. outside the arena’s main entrance.
During their stop in St. John’s, Leafs’ players will be visiting the Janeway Children’s Hospital and working with youth hockey groups in the metro region.
A barbeque is set for noon Sunday at the Paradise Double Ice Complex, which fans are invited to attend.
Ten players from last year’s Growlers team have been invited to camp, including St. John’s natives Zach O’brien, the playoffs’ MVP last spring, and Marcus Power.
Others Growlers who be at camp are Matt Bradley, Giorgio Estephan, Hudson Elynuik, Brady Ferguson, Scott Pooley, Alex Gudbranson, Kristians Rubins and Semyon Der-arguchintsev.
One player Leaf fans won’t be seeing is leading scorer and restricted free agent Mitch Marner.