Toronto Maple Leafs delight fans, visitors at outdoor practice

Players took the subway in their gear to Nathan Phillips Square

Retired Leafs pose for the camera after a great day of hockey at Nathan Philips Square. Marcus Davy, Toronto Observer

The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted an outdoor practice at Nathan Phillips Square on Thursday.

Every year the Leafs give back to Toronto by giving them the experience of watching them practice oustide, free of charge.

People from across the city gathered in front of city hall to watch their favourite current and retired Leaf players. The practice included a 3-on-3 tournament with retired players.

“This is all new to me,” said Tony Bang, a plane engineer from Korea, as he settled in to watch the practice.

The Leafs played a friendly 3-on-3 tournament with the team of winger Connor Brown, centre Austin Matthews, and defenceman Jake Muzzin winning it.

But the practice wasn’t the only thing. Several Leafs players wearing full gear were spotted by other passengers on the TTC subway making their way to Nathan Phillips Square. They were enjoying their time with fans.

After the practice, retired Leaf players went on the ice to play a three-period exhibition game. Many famous Leaf players attended such as Wayne Primeau and Shayne Corson. It was a slow and clean game, but the fans still had fun.

When the game ended, the retired Leaf players walked around the rink to greet and talk to the fans. A lot of these fans were older people who reminisced about the old times when they used to watch some of the older players play for the “blue and white.”

Anthony Caetano, a musician from Toronto, was able to talk to his Canadian hero.

“I got to be up close and personal with Shayne Corson and take some pictures with him … It was a great experience.”

Caetano also owns a unique collection of older hockey cards and got his Shayne Corson card signed by the former player himself.

Anthony Caetano shows off his Shayne Corson collectible card, signed by the former NHLer. (Marcus Davy, Toronto Observer)

After the practice everyone cleared out of Nathan Phillips Square, taking home a little bit of the Leafs experience with them.

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Posted: Feb 7 2019 1:38 pm
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Filed under: Hockey News Sports Toronto Maple Leafs
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