The Maple Leafs have lost many alumni the past few years and haven’t always had time to properly honour them during a 41-home game regular season.
Starting with Tuesday’s New Year’s Eve match against the New York Islanders, the team is beginning a new tradition, loosely describe as an “In Memorium’ game, in the manner the Academy Awards or Emmys, to recognize the passing of both the stars and other well-respected players in the calendar year. It will occur during the home game closest to Dec. 31.
More than 1,000 players have suited up for the franchise since 1917.
The first group of honourees will include the late Ron Ellis, Peter Conacher, Sergei Berezin, Ed Chadwick, Gerry James, Don Marshall, Larry McIntyre, Tim Ecclestone and Paul Masnick. There will be a pre-game moment of silence, a video tribute and two family members of the deceased will be special guests of the club in a private suite.
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