Toronto will celebrate its 100th season in 2016-17, and while some of the festivities have already been announced -- like the NHL Centennial Classic, an outdoor game versus Detroit -- the club announced a series of initiatives on Thursday for the upcoming campaign.
“The Maple Leafs Centennial Anniversary comes at a very special time in the team’s history,” team president Brendan Shanahan said in a release. “It allows us to look back and celebrate the great players, accomplishments and special memories of one of the most important franchises in hockey, but at the same time, look ahead to the next 100 years and the start of an exciting new chapter in team history.”
Among the plans for season No. 100:
-- A special centennial logo, featuring the Maple Leafs new logo in silver with the number 100 displayed.
-- New banners to hang in Air Canada Centre, paying tribute to the players that have had their numbers honored. Beginning this summer and throughout the season, the 18 original Air Canada Centre banners will be delivered to the hometowns that produced these players.
-- Exhibition games in Halifax, St. Catherine’s and Hamilton.
-- Statues for Dave Keon, Tim Horton and Turk Broda will officially be added to Legend’s Row.
For more on Toronto’s Centennial season plans, click here.