Star-studded visit Toronto Maple Leafs alumni visit the Birthplace of Hockey

About a dozen people involved with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization converged on Long Pond Sept. 24 to visit the Birthplace of Hockey.

The group then visited the Davison corn maze in Fal- mouth, where the family had carefully designed the Leaf’s logo to commemorate the hockey team’s 100th anniversary.

Retired and former NHLers Darryl Sittler, Todd Warriner, Ric Nattress, Dan Daoust, David Hutchison, Brad Marsh and Nik Antropov were among the special guests.

Fans flocked to the first stop, the Dill Family Farm, in hopes of getting autographs, photos and meeting the hockey legends.

Andrew Dill, who is involved with the Long Pond Heritage Classic - a fundraiser played every winter at the family farm - said it’s always great to have celebrity athletes visit the spot where hockey was born.

“We welcome anyone who would like to come to Windsor, especially former NHL stars or current players, to help support our cause,” said Dill, citing other celebrities like Guy Lafleur, Rick Middleton and Terry O’Reilly who have visited Long Pond in years past.

“It goes to show you, that they definitely think there’s a good claim to our birthplace of hockey for them to come down and endorse or promote it.”

Although the visit was a quick one, it left fans smiling.

The men were in the province for the Toronto Maple Leafs alumni hockey game on Sept. 25 at the Scotiabank Centre.

Many of those attending the events in Windsor and Falmouth received complimentary tickets to the alumni game. Although the game was free to attend, there were a limited number of tickets available.

CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL Danny Dill, owner of the Dill Family Farm, joins members of the Toronto Maple Leafs alumni who visited the cradle of hockey Sept. 24. Also pictured are, from left, Dan Daoust (standing), David Hutchison, Ric Nattress, Darryl Sittler, Nik Antropov, Brad...

CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL Windsor resident Don Hurshman brought his granddaughter, Emma Mahoney, to the Dill Family Farm in hopes of meeting some hockey legends, like Darryl Sittler.

CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL These children were the last to receive an autograph from Nik Antropov while he visited Long Pond Sept. 24. The former Toronto Maple Leafs player was part of an alumni group touring the area Saturday.