Eddie Shack

Leafs Are Next to 50

TORONTO (May 2) — It is far from the worst time since 1967 to remind fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs that their club, today, becomes the second to endure a calendar half–century without the Stanley Cup. Yes, it was… Read More

The Leafs At the Quarter–Pole

TORONTO (Nov. 24) — Over–achievement? Moderate achievement? And, does it really matter? These are questions that come to mind with respect to the Toronto Maple Leafs after 20 games of the 2016–17 National Hockey League season. Clearly, the team is… Read More

The Boomer Is 80

TORONTO (Sep. 9) — In the realm of longevity, those Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup teams from the 1960’s will not go away. And, we thank the good Lord for that. The latest in the group to join Club Octogenarian… Read More

The Wall And His Doll

TORONTO (May 18) — I felt extraordinarily privileged on Tuesday afternoon. Not only did I spend time with the most popular and beloved figure in Toronto Maple Leafs history (pretty cool for a decades–long hockey fan; radio–reporter and writer), but… Read More

Leafs Concerned About Burke

TORONTO (Apr. 29) — The Calgary Flames have sent their Irish good–luck charm to our town in an arcane attempt to wrest the 2016 National Hockey League draft lottery from the “favored” Toronto Maple Leafs. His name? Brian Burke. And,… Read More

Woodstock — To Ourselves

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (Dec. 29) — This wasn’t so much a Christmas–holiday trip as a pilgrimage. For the second time in my life — and first with my son, Shane — I visited arguably the most hallowed spot in the history… Read More

How Will Leafs Break From the Break?

TORONTO (Dec. 14) — The “overachieving” Toronto Maple Leafs could resume play on Tuesday night dead–last in the National Hockey League standings. All it requires is Columbus getting to extra time at home against Tampa Bay on Monday for a… Read More

Sad Week For the NHL

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 27) — The National Hockey League “family” — as it likes to be known — has lost three prominent members since Sunday. Given his involvement in the game, professionally and internationally, the death of Pat… Read More

Could YOUR Zaidi Be a GM?

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 8) — The Los Angeles Dodgers, earlier this week, hired a 37-year-old Zaidi as their new general manager. Where I come from, that’s an awfully young Zaidi. You see, Zaidi (or Zaida) is a popular … Read More

Leafs Nail It With Legends Row

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Sep. 7) – Of all the storied names in Toronto Maple Leafs history, an argument can be made that the two living players most beloved by fans of all ages were honored outside the Air Canada… Read More

Inside Maple Leaf Gardens

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (July 31) – Having posted a blog Wednesday with exterior images of old, wonderfully-worn Maple Leaf Gardens, I was asked – quite logically – how it looks from the inside. At BergerBytes.ca, you never have to… Read More

15 Years Already

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Feb. 13) – To begin, let us wish Mats Sundin a happy 43rd birthday – the all-time Maple Leafs scoring leader, born in 1971, enjoying retirement at his palatial dwelling in Stockholm. Proving again that time… Read More

Early Yuletide For Leafs Fans

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Dec. 15) – I remember the game as if it were yesterday, but I still had to look up the date (I’m only so much a hockey savant). Though merely 15 years old, I somehow felt… Read More

Calm Environment Helping Leafs

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Mar. 7) – With the Maple Leafs solidly in playoff contention midway through the NHL season, Randy Carlyle is being lauded for his coaching acumen. And, why not? Through 24 games, Leafs have performed energetically, boisterously … Read More

The Essence of Maple Leaf Gardens

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Oct. 12) – The novelty will prevail for as long as they live. It is forever a thrill and privilege to be in the company of my boyhood heroes – doubly so when the backdrop is … Read More