The St. Patrick's Day Game

Lore & Background

The Maple Leafs' origins trace to the NHL's founding in 1917, when a temporary Toronto franchise was granted to the Arena Gardens of Toronto, Limited. The team, known as the Toronto Arenas, won the Stanley Cup in 1918. In 1919, the club was sold to the St. Patrick Hockey Club and renamed the Toronto St. Patricks, winning the Stanley Cup in 1922. Conn Smythe bought the franchise in 1927 and renamed it the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team won the Stanley Cup in 1932, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967. Their last championship was in 1967, and their drought between Stanley Cups is the longest active in the NHL.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Maple Leaf Gardens hung heavy with the scent of buttered popcorn and damp wool coats as March 17th tipped into night. Though the scoreboard clock ticked through a tense third period against Montreal, the arena hummed with a different frequency—not just the roar for points, but the pulse of a community gathering. On the bench, veterans adjusted their skates, fingers brushing the faint green ribbon tied beneath layers of white sock tape, a quiet nod to the lineage they carried. When a hard check rattled the boards, the resulting eruption from the stands felt less like a sports reaction and more like a collective exhale of pride; it was the sound of a neighborhood recognizing itself on the ice. For one night under the bright lights, the rink seemed to reflect not just the arena, but the very spirit of Toronto's Irish-Canadian heart beating in time with the game.

Reader's Guide

The Maple Leafs have played at Arena Gardens (1917–1931), Maple Leaf Gardens (1931–1999), and the Air Canada Centre (since 1999). The team was owned by Maple Leaf Gardens Limited (later Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment) after Conn Smythe launched the company to finance the arena. In 1971, Harold Ballard secured principal ownership. In August 2012, BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications purchased a combined 70 per cent stake in MLSE. Brendan Shanahan was appointed president and alternate governor after the 2013–14 season.

Did You Know?

• The Toronto Maple Leafs and the NHL both arose from disputes between Eddie Livingstone and other NHA owners.
• The franchise was originally a temporary team called the Toronto Arenas, which won the 1918 Stanley Cup.
• The team was renamed the Toronto St. Patricks in 1919 and won the Stanley Cup in 1922.
• Conn Smythe renamed the team the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1927 and launched Maple Leaf Gardens Limited to finance the arena.
• The Maple Leafs won their last Stanley Cup in 1967, and their drought is the longest active in the NHL.

Architectural Origins and Rapid Construction

Eaton Co. Ltd. To fund this ambitious project, he established Maple Leaf Gardens Limited, transferring team ownership into shares sold to the public while hiring W.A. Hewitt to manage non-hockey events. This rapid completion allowed the arena to open that November, instantly becoming a monumental fixture in Toronto's Garden District.

A Cathedral of Hockey and Historic Moments

Often revered as one of hockey's 'cathedrals,' Maple Leaf Gardens served as the spiritual home for the Toronto Maple Leafs from its opening in 1931 until 1999. During this era, the franchise secured eleven Stanley Cup championships between 1932 and 1967, cementing the arena's legendary status within the National Hockey League. Beyond domestic triumphs, the Gardens played a crucial role in international hockey history by hosting Game 2 of the famous 1972 Summit Series, where Team Canada defeated the Soviet Union 4–1. The building's legacy extended to other sports as well, serving as the home for the Toronto Huskies basketball team and later the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association.

Diverse Entertainment and Cultural Significance

While synonymous with ice hockey, Maple Leaf Gardens was a versatile entertainment hub that hosted a wide array of sporting events and cultural phenomena. Boxing also found a regular home within the arena, hosting world title fights such as Panama Al Brown's 1932 victory. Politically significant events also occurred within its walls, including a memorable speech by Winston Churchill in March 1932, who famously continued his address after the loudspeaker system failed. Additionally, the arena hosted Victory Loan rallies during World War II and served as a temporary home for various teams like the Buffalo Braves and Toronto Raptors when their primary venues were unavailable.

Decline, Vacancy, and Modern Rebirth

Following the departure of the Maple Leafs and Raptors to the new Air Canada Centre in 1999, Maple Leaf Gardens entered a prolonged period of dormancy. For nearly a decade, the historic structure sat largely vacant as owners hesitated to sell, fearing it might compete with their newer arena across town. This era of uncertainty ended in 2009 when the building was finally sold and subjected to a major internal reconstruction. The transformation repurposed the site into a multi-use facility that respects its history while serving modern needs. Today, the lower floors house a Loblaws supermarket, bringing retail activity back to the Garden District, while the upper level operates as the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens. This new arena serves Toronto Metropolitan University, ensuring the building continues to host athletic events and remains an active part of the city's landscape rather than a forgotten relic.