89 years ago today, Toronto Maple Leafs play first game at Maple Leaf Gardens
By Zach Laing
3 years agoWelcome back to another edition of Throwback Thursday!
It was on this day in 1931 that the first-ever game was played at the Maple Leaf Gardens. 
The Leafs played host to Chicago, who took out the home team by a score of 2-1.
The Canadian Press was there for the game and here’s what they had to say:
Colorful ceremony marked the official opening tonight of the Maple Leaf Gardens, new home of the Toronto club of the National Hockey Club. Before a throng of 13,500 spectators, representatives of provincial and city governments joined in opening the arena. Massed bands on the ice surface at each side of the rink lent color to the proceedings. Captain “Cyclone” Wentworth, of Chicago Black Hawks, expressed the pleasure of his team at being first opponents of the Leafs in their new home. Hon. W. D. Ross, lieutenant-governor of Ontario, and Premier Geo. S. Henry were on the ice as silent witnesses of the ceremony. Mayor W. J. Stewart welcomed Leafs to their new home. The teams lined up at each end of the arena while J. P. Bickell, president of the Leafs, addressed the audience. With the applause of the crowd still ringing in their ears, the two teams went into action.
The historic building is known as one of the cathedrals of hockey and played host to the Leafs until 1999. The building still stands at 60 Carlston St.
On Twitter: @zjlaing
Recent articles from Zach Laing
