[cyclone3483]

Cyclones next pick is that storied old arena, the Maple Leaf Gardens.

CHECK THIS OUT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK2ktSztaJ0



This venerable arena owns the most incredible sports attendance record of any in the world: Since 1946 there hasn't been a single unsold seat in the house.

Built in 1931 during the depths of the Great Depression, Maple Leaf Gardens retains the same appeal it had during pre-expansion times, when the Leafs were the toast of the league.

The man who built Maple Leaf Gardens also built the New York Rangers along with the Toronto Maple Leafs was one of the most colourful characters ever to grace the hockey world. A much-decorated and wounded veteran of both world wars, whose motto was "If you can't lick 'em in the alley you can't lick 'em on the ice," Conn Symthe always seemed to give one the sense he was guiding his own destiny. Perhaps the fact that his family allowed him to choose his own name when he was seven had something to do with that.
Smythe captained his University of Toronto varsity squad to the 1915 Ontario championships, then coached the University of Toronto Varsity seniors to the 1927 Allan Cup. He caught the eye of the New York Rangers management and agreed to rebuild the Rangers in exchange for $10,000.
The canny Smythe acquired Bill Cook, Frank Boucher, Ching Johnson, and 28 other players for only $32,000. Astonishingly, Rangers president Colonel Hammond listened to Symthe's jealous critics and fired him, shaving $2,500 off Smythe's original fee in the process. Rangers owner Tex Rickard heard about the injustice, restored Smythe's original fee and begged him to stay, but it was to late. Smythe returned to Toronto vowing to win the Stanley Cup in revenge. Smythe wagered his $10,000 on a football game and won, then bet his winnings on a Toronto-Ottawa hockey game and won again. Determined to buy the Toronto St. Pats, Smythe together with local worthies bought the team for $164,000, and, always an unblushing patriot, renamed them the Maple Leafs.
In 1931, Smythe, along with J.P. Bickell, used creative financing to build Maple Leaf Gardens - 100 yards from where Smythe was born - in an astonishing five months. In 1932, Conn's beloved Maple Leafs won their first of 11 Stanley Cups, thus making good Smythe's promise of revenge and establishing one of the NHL's most illustrious franchises.
While it's rather nondescript in appearance, Toronto's stadium is the last remaining building used from the days of the "Original Six" after the Canadiens, Bruins and Blackhawks all moved into their new buildings.

Toronto tourism officials are asked for directions to the Gardens more than any other site, and for good reason. The home of the Maple Leafs has changed little since it was built in 1931. Inside are pictures and other reminders of past moments in Leafs history. Maple Leaf Gardens is a special place for hockey fans because it houses so much tradition and history.




Maple Leaf Gardens history

• First regular-season game: Nov. 12, 1931, 2-1 loss to the Blackhawks
• First Stanley Cup finals game: April 9, 1932, 6-4 over the Rangers
• April 9, 1932: Led by Ace Bailey, King Clancy and Harvey "Busher" Jackson, the Maple Leafs win their first Stanley Cup by beating the Rangers 6-4
• Feb. 7, 1976: Darryl Sitler sets an NHL record with 10 points in a game -- six goals and four assists -- leading the Leafs to an 11-4 victory over Boston.
• LAST game at Maple Leaf Gardens will be on February 13, 1999 vs the Chicago Blackhawks

Built during the Great Depression and hosted such memorable events as a Beatles concert, a Muhammad Ali fight and the first-ever NBA game.
On December 15, 2002 SSchminky@aol.com wrote: Just wanted to offer a couple pieces of trivia garnered from a tour of Maple Leaf Gardens a couple of years ago.... Maple Leaf Gardens was one of the only venues Elvis played outside of the United States where he gave two incredible conerts on April 2, 1957. It is also the only venue where The Beatles did two shows on the same night (supposedly because the then owner of the arena sold two shows without the band's knowledge and the band consented). (Elvis also played at Empire Stadium in Vancouver and the Beatles also played Empire Stadium in 1964.)

Team Cylones recap:
Center-1: Stan Mikita (2xHart, 3xArt Ross, 6x1st team, 2x2nd team, 2x Bying)
Right Wing-1: Teemu Selanne (Richard, Calder, Masterton, 2x1st team, 2x2nd team)
Right Wing 2: Boom Boom Geoffrion (2xArt Ross, Hart, Calder, 1x1st team, 2x2nd team)
Left Wing-1: Bobby Hull (2xHart, 3xArt Ross, 10x1st team, 2x2nd team)
Left Wing-2: Michel Goulet (3xBying, 3x1st team, 2x2nd team)
Defence-1: Dit Clapper (3x1st team, 3x2nd team)
Defence-2: Pierre Pilote (3xNorris, 5x1st team, 3x2nd team)
Goalie-1: Dominik Hasek (2xHart, 2xPearson, 6xVezina, 3xJennings, 5x1st team)
Arena: Maple Leaf Gardens