A century ago Toronto's NHL franchise was owned by the Arena Company.
 |
| Arenas "Hap" Holmes Credit Tim Caran |
A corporation which also owned and operated the Arena Gardens on Mutual Street not far from where iconic Maple Leaf Gardens would one day be built. Ownership who perhaps were not filled with an over abundance of creativity, named their club the Toronto Arenas. Clad in simple blue uniforms featuring the letter "T" on the chest, the Arenas would win the Stanley Cup in 1918 defeating the Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association.
By the start of the 1919-20 season the Arenas were in poor financial shape and on December 13th the team was sold to a group lead by Arenas General Manager Charlie Querrie. Nine days later and in an effort to draw on the city's large Irish Catholic population, the team was re-named the Toronto St. Patricks and re-branded with green & white sweaters.
The "St. Pats" as they would be called by media, thrived under the Querrie ownership group. 1922 would see the franchise's second Stanley Cup title (again defeating the Vancouver Millionaires) but sadly for Charlie Querrie, the team missed the playoffs the following two seasons. Now in debt, management sold star winger, Cecil "Babe" Dye to the Chicago Blackhawks for cash and was trying to plug the holes in a rapidly sinking ship. In 1927 after missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, dealing with lingering legal troubles and thousands of dollars in the red, the St. Patricks were put up for sale.
 |
| Toronto St. Patricks players during practice Credit: City of Toronto Archives - Fonds 1266 - Item 9946 |
Initially a group based in Philadelphia offered Querrie $200,000 for the franchise and it seemed all but certain the team would be moving south of the border. Days later however, Querrie was approached by a former Varsity hockey coach named Conn Smythe who seemed appalled at the idea of Toronto's team leaving the city. While only offering Querrie $160,000 for the St. Pats, Smythe argued his was the better offer because "Civic pride should always trump money". To the surprise of many, Smythe's patriotic appeal worked as Querrie agreed to sell him and his group, controlling interest in the team. The St. Pats were renamed the Toronto Maple Leafs and the rest as they say, is history.
It is that history which the Maple Leafs are now turning to as they continue to celebrate their 100th season. The team announced on February 21st that they would employ Toronto St. Patricks "throw back" jerseys for their March 18th home game against Chicago.
The jersey is certainly eye-catching and well put together. Another version of the St. Pats uniform was worn during the club's 75th season but this one is a bit cleaner and sharper.
 |
| 2017 St. Pats throw back Credit: Twitter/LeafsPR |
While use of the St. Pats throw back is certainly welcome news, it is disappointing that there has been no tip of the hat (thus far) to the Toronto Arenas. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), the parent corporation which owns the Maple Leafs, was not available for comment on the matter. I do hope that before MLSE wraps up the centennial celebrations they pay tribute to the team that started it all.
On the whole I have to give the Leafs marketing department a good St. Pat on the back (Yes I made that pun, no regrets) for paying homage to a seldom celebrated era. I know I can't wait to get my hands on this piece of hockey history.
@HockeyCynic
No comments:
Post a Comment