Real outdoor hockey

 

As many of you may know, the Prince of Wales Trophy was named after Edward, Prince of Wales in the 1920s. Edward would eventually become King of England, and was the last English monarch to abdicate. Canada is a Commonwealth Realm, and nominally, the head of state is the King of England, which is, circuitously, how the Trophy got it's name. The Maple Leafs are finally close to the Prince of Wales, but it is actually a park in Etobicoke. And also, the park was named after the Florida Panthers, current holders of said trophy. 

With all the outdoor games that come through now, and all of them ending up at stadiums that seat three times as many fans as an NHL arena, I do commend the Maple Leafs for taking the outdoor concept (as they have done for years) and ACTUALLY returning hockey to its roots, by getting closer to the fans, and playing how a lot of kids are playing - on sheets right next to bleachers and trees and parking lots, with moms and dads watching, both for love of the game and because they need to be vigilant. This is real service for fans, rather than "fan service".  Won't say this often, but good job, Toronto.