The Popcorn Kid Remembers Borje

TORONTO (Nov. 29) — When reflecting on the core of the good–but–not–quite–good–enough Maple Leaf teams in the late–1970’s, six names come immediately to mind: Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Dave (Tiger) Williams, Borje Salming, Ian Turnbull and Mike Palmateer. The first… Read More

Keefe’s Leafs Should Be Proud

TORONTO (Nov. 28) — For several years now, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been November’s champion. Over the past three National Hockey League regular seasons, the Leafs possess a remarkable 30–5–4 record in the second month of the schedule. Two… Read More

How Did Borje Salming Die?

TORONTO (Nov. 26) — The subject–matter of this blog is largely irrelevant. Of sole importance to hockey fans the world over is that Borje Salming died peacefully on Thursday in Stockholm, surrounded by the people he loved. The news, though… Read More

My Last Conversation With The King

TORONTO (Nov. 25) — It’s a photo for the ages. Four men huddled in lifelong love and imminent grief across the road from the home of legends; the building in which they became royalty. Borje Salming, the Swedish hockey pioneer… Read More

Borje Is Gone, Quickly and Mercifully

TORONTO (Nov. 24) — Eight years after the morning we heard that Pat Quinn had passed away, another Maple Leafs legend — Borje Salming — has lost his battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease). And, thank… Read More

No Calamity Is Big Enough

TORONTO (Nov. 22) — If you’re wondering whether the Maple Leafs will consider a compelling move now that their top three defensemen (Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, T.J. Brodie) are sidelined with injury, allow me to answer one question with another:… Read More

The CFL Commish Does It Right

TORONTO (Nov. 21) — It’s a number the Toronto Maple Leafs want to desperately avoid. Yet, one the Toronto Argonauts carry with pride. Seven. The streak of Grey Cup appearances that has ended in triumph for Canada’s oldest professional sports… Read More

Toronto Sun Blows It With Simmons

TORONTO (Nov. 20) — A collection of thoughts on Grey Cup Sunday: Postmedia, owner of the Sun newspaper chain, doesn’t often make mistakes with sports coverage, particularly football, a favorite of sports editor Bill (Hawkeye) Pierce. But, the Toronto Sun… Read More

The 1976–77 Salming/Turnbull Dynamic

TORONTO (Nov. 19) — One week after the consecutive–night tributes at Scotiabank Arena to Borje Salming, there remains much intrigue and emotion over the Maple Leafs legend and his unwinnable struggle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease).… Read More

Time For Some Crow

TORONTO (Nov. 14) — Those who frequent this corner will know that I routinely take a stance… and almost never alter my position. Until I have to. At which point, I serve myself a large plate of crow. Such an… Read More

The Captain; The Tiger… and Tears

TORONTO (Nov. 12) — To be honest, there’s no particular reason for me to write this blog. The remarkable and poignant images snapped, below, by veteran photographer Frank Gunn of The Canadian Press more than speak for themselves, as Borje… Read More