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The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Tuesday plans for a rare 2pm home game on Tuesday, December 19th (dubbed the “Next Century Game…) against the Carolina Hurricanes, which marks the exact date that the Toronto Arenas played an NHL game in Toronto 100 years ago.
"The Next Century Game marks the culmination of a year of Maple Leafs Centennial Anniversary celebrations that paid tribute to the teams, the accomplishments and the memories of the first 100 years of Maple Leafs hockey,… Team President Brendan Shanahan said in a press release. “We’re now able to look ahead as we start to write the next great chapters in team history along with creating new generations of Leafs fans, which is an important part of this celebration.…
Toronto Mayor John Tory announced in a ceremony at Market Lane Public School that December 19th would officially be proclaimed Toronto Maple Leafs Day and the club also unveiled the commemorative Toronto Arenas jersey that will be worn for the game.
Here's that next century game jersey on, if you you're into that. You can buy one at Real Sports' Sportchek in December. pic.twitter.com/lAM9HJqASY
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) September 12, 2017
While focused on recognizing and honoring the franchise’s past, Shanahan was asked about the club’s present and future, including the naming of a team captain.
“(Naming a team captain is) not going to be my decision, this is a coaching decision and the general manager’s decision.… Shanahan said to TSN 1050’s Overdrive on Tuesday. “It’s less about having a captain and more about having natural leaders in the room, so when the time is right, I’m sure Mike (Babcock) and Lou (Lamoriello) will make a decision like that. In the meantime, I would be happy if every guy in that room was step up at different moments and took on a leadership role.…
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The game between the Canes and Leafs will mark the meeting of two of the NHL’s most promising young squads. Carolina (coached by former Babcock assistant Bill Peters) is stockpiled with young defensemen and like Toronto, added veterans over the summer in goalie Scott Darling, defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, center Markus Kruger and winger Justin Williams.
Defenseman Ron Hainsey, who spent almost four seasons in Raleigh before being dealt to Pittsburgh for their Cup run, sees a lot of similarities in the two up-and-coming clubs.
“The (defense) we had in Carolina had three rookies (Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce and Noah Hanifin) playing minutes. We had some injuries and to those guys credit, they stepped in and we couldn’t take them out again.… Hainsey said on Friday. “(In Toronto) there are more forwards that are in their first or second year. It’s getting harder and harder to find an older team around.…
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