Toronto Maple Leafs: The Next Generation of Fans

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to play at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday in what will be their first and only early afternoon game of the season, hosting the Minnesota Wild at Scotiabank Arena.

With an early start time in mind, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ team management elected to dedicate this date to the team’s younger fans in what has been dubbed the “Next Gen Game.” It’s a great chance for young fans to join in on the camaraderie of Leafs Nation without staying up past their bedtime to catch a game in its entirety.

Earlier puck drops provide an opportunity to foster the same love and passion for the game within a younger audience, integrating them into a spectacle synonymous with many Torontonians. One that is typically shared later in the evening.

There’s been no better time to market the game towards a young demographic, especially considering the sheer amount of youth embodied in Toronto’s current NHL roster. For children that idolize these very players and dream about playing hockey at the next level, it also serves as a reminder that they could find themselves living out their dreams one day too.

In an excerpt from the team’s official website,

"“On Thursday, January 3 the Next Generation of Leafs fans are taking over when the Maple Leafs host the Minnesota Wild…and we want you to join in on the fun. The Next Gen Game Presented by Scotiabank is a special 2PM afternoon game all about celebrating the fun that is the game of hockey.On Thursday, January 3 the Next Generation of Leafs fans are taking over when the Maple Leafs host the Minnesota Wild…and we want you to join in on the fun. The Next Gen Game Presented by Scotiabank is a special 2PM afternoon game all about celebrating the fun that is the game of hockey.”"

Additionally, a select number of young fans will be chosen to attend the game through a draw that can be entered on the team’s website.

It’s unclear exactly how many kids will be in attendance to take advantage of the early start time, however, the Maple Leafs appear to be making a valiant effort to fill out the seats with younger faces this time around. Last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs used their one and only 2 p.m. start to host the “Next Century Game” as a ploy to transition the team’s fanbase into the next one hundred years of action. There was a specific focus on youth and the next generation of Leaf fans—but with a simple glance at the arena’s crowd, this was noticeably absent.

This is what Michael Friisdahl, MLSE President and CEO, had to say ahead of last year’s Next Century Game;

"The Next Century Game will take place just a few weeks before the one-year anniversary of MLSE LaunchPad, serving as a valuable reminder of the positive impact that both the Maple Leafs, and this facility, have on our youth and this community,”"

While Team President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan also chimed in on the matter;

"“We’re now able to look ahead as we start to write the next great chapters in team history along with creating new generations of Leafs fans, which is an important part of this celebration.”"

To be fair, the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be all-in on the youth movement this year. Promoting the Next Gen Game has been a primary focus, they’ve taken to the streets to hand out tickets, unveiled a limited edition line of Next Gen Collection merchandise, and even released an iOS/Android game app titled “Dangle and Dash.”

It would certainly be a treat for many if the team had more than just a single early start game per season but, unfortunately, the schedule isn’t under the Toronto Maple Leafs’ direct jurisdiction.

The takeover is coming—brace yourselves for an inevitable Fortnite dance-off and other mind-numbing attractions. In all seriousness, it’s an exciting time to be a fan of this electrifying team and, despite all the heartache many of these young fans did not live through to experience the Leafs’ dark ages, they can enjoy the passion for the franchise just the same moving forward.

On a side note, Thursday will also mark Garret Sparks’ fourth consecutive start in goal as a result of Frederik Andersen’s disclosed groin injury. Mike Babcock confirmed the news with reporters following the Wednesday morning skate.