Leafs Nation gets pumped for season

It’s a big night in Toronto and for fans across Ontario as Leafs Nation gathers to watch the first game of the NHL regular season. The party has been going strong in Toronto for most of the afternoon. This is the scene just outside of the Air Canada Centre. The first face off is a battle of long time rivals — The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. And while Leafs ownership is launching the season with plenty of sizzle — a new report suggests the Leafs aren’t Canada’s team.

Turns out the Canadiens are tops for Canadian hockey fans. So Phil Perkins looked into whether Leafs Nation is losing its grip.

In this hockey arena in Hamilton, there were a few members of Leafs Nation.

“It’s the Toronto Maple Leafs. My parents were Leafs fans, the parents before them were Leafs fans, it goes a while back.”

An emphasis on the word, “few”

“I’m a Dallas Stars fan.”

“Pittsburgh.”

“To be honest with you, I’ve always been a fan of the Detroit Red Wings.”

“Big B, they’re awesome.”

According to a new survey, 23% of Canadian hockey fans cheer for the Montreal Canadiens. The Leafs and Canucks are tied for second at 12%. The numbers are inflated in Ontario however, with ‘buds’ backers making up 33% of all hockey fans in the province.

“To some, Leafs Nation covers all of this. But for how long? We all know they haven’t won the Cup since ’67, but they’ve made the playoffs only once since the lockout. So is it possible that Leafs Nation could, in fact, shrink?

“You gotta’ win to get people excited about your team.”

“I know a lot of my friends have been fed up with the Leafs and in terms of waiting, they’re not that patient.”

“I’d rather go down to Buffalo and have a whole weekend in Buffalo and pay less money than I would to go to the Air Canada Centre.”

He’s on to something. To watch the Boston Bruins play the Sabres next Saturday would cost you $36. The same matchup in Toronto would be $100 more. I went to a bar in St. Catharines to see if the better price point means less Leaf fans.

“In the GTA, Niagara region, you’re pretty much prone to the Leafs or Buffalo.”

In terms of merchandise, Leafs Nation is still number one in Niagara. The manager at this Sport Chek told me that Leaf jerseys are the biggest seller, ahead of the Sabres and Habs.

Leafs Nation is, if not passionate, very patient. Entering this year, every hockey expert is predicting the Leafs to not qualify for the playoffs yet again. But times are changing in Leaf land. They have a new president and new approach to the game. It’s going to be through these tough times that you see how strong Leafs Nation really is.