On a chilly night in mid-May, Toronto Maple Leafs fans donned their blue and white jerseys outside Scotiabank Arena, where a line of excited fans formed.

While the team was preparing for a crucial playoff game, many gathered, not just for the match, but to be part of something deeper. For some lifelong supporters, being a Leafs fan is about identity, family, and national pride.

Jake Longmain, 34, stood with friends by the front gates. Born and raised in Toronto, he’s been a Leafs fan since childhood.

“Even though they let us down every year, it’s just kind of part of the culture,” he said, laughing. “You try to embrace the game and cheer for your team. We hope for the best every year.”

For Longmain, fandom isn’t a solo experience—it’s generational.

“My grandfather liked the Maple Leafs. My dad likes the Maple Leafs. It’s kind of a family tradition,” he said. “Even when I tried switching to the (Calgary) Flames, I ended up back here. Cheering for the Leafs just feels Canadian.”

Hockey: more Canadian than the (other) maple leaf

According to Statistics Canada, nearly half of Canadians say hockey is a key national symbol— more than the flag or the maple leaf.

The sport was first played in Canada in the 1800s and became the official national winter sport in 1994. Today, it is a key part of national identity for many.

This sense of heritage runs deep among Leafs supporters. The team’s history dates back to its founding in 1917, and has helped embed it into the fabric of Canadian culture.

“I think it’s the hope that keeps us going,” Longmain added. “There’s always next year, and that kind of optimism feels very Canadian too.”

Andrew Lancasfe, 32, agrees. He said the Maple Leafs aren’t just a hockey team, they’re a symbol.

“There’s a saying, ‘You bleed blue’ — that’s what it means to be a Leafs fan,” he said. “Hockey is part of being Canadian, and this is the biggest hockey team in the NHL — some would say, the world.”

Lancasfe, who lives in Mississauga and works in downtown Toronto, said cheering for the team creates a sense of unity.

“Whether you’re in the arena or at a bar, if you’re wearing the jersey, you’re part of something. It’s a shared language.”

Leafs Nation

The 2024 NHL Fan Engagement Report named the Leafs the most-followed team in Canada, with millions of fans nationwide. From coast to coast, Canadians proudly wear Leafs gear, decorate homes in team colours, and gather to watch games.

Still, being a Leafs fan isn’t easy. The team hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967. But fans say the struggle is part of the experience.

“You stay with them through the heartbreaks,” Longmain said. “That’s part of being Canadian too.”

In recent years, some Canadians have viewed hockey — and Leafs fandom specifically — as a unifying response to growing political tension with the U.S., especially in the post-Trump era. While trade disputes and shifting policies have strained cross-border relations, national pride in symbols like the Leafs remains strong.

“There’s something very Toronto about it,” Lancasfe said. “The city has changed a lot, but the Leafs are still here. They’re something everyone can connect to.”

This story is part of the Toronto Observer’s Our Canada feature package. Check out more stories and videos.