The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a rich history on the ice. In the stands, they have attracted a long list of famous fans.
The Toronto Raptors gained extra attention in their title-winning playoffs run thanks to the presence of the team’s global ambassador, Drake. The Toronto Maple Leafs have many famous fans as well, without the addition of the sideline histrionics.
The difference between the sports is that fans can sit on the floor at NBA games. Boards separate the playing surface from the crowd at hockey games. This puts a physical barrier in front of the celebrities who come support the Maple Leafs, making their presence less visible. It does not make their love of the team any less meaningful.
Due in part to the size of the city of Toronto and the Maple Leafs being one of the Original Six teams in the league, the fandom is enormous. It also helps that the popularity of the game in Canada is unmatched. As a result, lots of Torontonians have grown up to be passionate Leafs supporters.
Some celebrities attend multiple games a year, whether in Toronto or in the city where they currently reside. Others have become celebrities because of their love for the Maple Leafs. Such is the case for Steve Dangle and Dart Guy.
Steve “Dangle” Glynn became popular as a YouTuber. He posted his reaction to every Leafs game in his own unique ways. His videos began generating a great deal of attention and his subscriber numbers skyrocketed. Glynn has parleyed his Leaf fandom into being a blogger and publishing a book.
Dart Guy, the nickname given to Jason Maslakow, was attending a game in April of 2017 when his image was captured and broadcast on television. His look garnered attention because he had his face painted with an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth. The “dart” was there to help cope with the stress of that game. His picture instantly got the meme treatment and it led to him getting to host his own show on local terrestrial radio.