Toronto Maple Leafs: Interview With The Ultimate Leafs Fan – Part 1

How does one get the honor of being named The Ultimate Leafs Fan by ESPN? Having a 1,000 sqaure foot basement filled with Toronto Maple Leafs artifacts is how.

That is exactly what Mike Wilson had at his Toronto home when the title of the Ultimate Toronto Maple Leafs fan was bestowed on him before selling most of the items to the Museum of History in Ottawa. He started his collection just like most of us, by collecting hockey cards and other items as a child. As he got older, he started collecting more and more rare items.

As the collection grew, Mike started getting Toronto Maple Leafs players past and present coming to his house to check out his collection in what was now known as “The Room”. Whoever stopped by for a visit, Mike would have them autograph the door to The Room.

During the 2018-19 season, Mike decided to embark on the “Ultimate Road Trip” as he was going to follow the team all season long and attend every game. He documented his journey and turned it into a book. I recently spoke with Mike about that road trip among other things and here is what he had to say.

Interview With The Toronto Maple Leafs Ultimate Fan

JR: Hi Mike, thank you for taking the time to chat with me about the new book and the road trip detailed inside.

MW: My pleasure Jeremy.

JR: How would you best describe your Ultimate Road Trip experience?

MW: I went into this journey with the bar set very high, expecting Leafs Nation to be everything we all believe it to be, however the 89-game experience far and away exceeded my lofty expectations.

What became very clear quickly was this was just not a ‘hockey’ team to most. This club was the fabric for generations of families starting with Foster Hewitt’s broadcasts during the Great Depression of the 30’s.

The Saturday Night game featured families gathered around the radio for the only real form of entertainment they knew or could afford. Anywhere west of Ontario the Maple Leafs were it and instantly became the team of choice.

The legendary wartime broadcasts to entertain our military also added to the allure because all these stories were passed through the generations and even with NHL teams in cities across the Nation the bond remains intact with the families today. They may cheer for the local team, but the blue and white hold a special place in their hearts. Fans laughed, cried, screamed for joy and willingly shared family and personal experiences related to the Leafs.

I feel honoured people were so quick and willing to share; hopefully I can properly relay their special memories with others who will do the same.

JR: What was it like seeing so many Leafs fans on the road no matter what city you were in?

MW: Never got tired of it! It was awesome to see 15 rows deep of Blue and White surrounding the Leafs end during the warmup. Yes, we expect that in Detroit, Buffalo and even Montreal but when it’s standing out in Washington, Columbus, LA or Minnesota, you have to marvel at what you’re witnessing.

Again, its more about seeing the team live vs the wins or losses because of what the team means to the fans.

JR: How exciting is it to have the foreword in your book done by Toronto Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan?

MW: Very. Brendan has been a terrific supporter of our fundraising endeavors so he’s familiar with what we represent and had followed my journey as the season progressed.

As President of the club, he is Leafs Nation’s representative at the highest level, so we thought only fitting he write the forward.

Brendan captured Leafs Nation to a ‘T’ from a fan’s perspective.

What everyone always forgets is guys like Brendan were kids once too who had their own heroes growing up and that never goes away.

JR: What was it like being able to go into the director’s lounge with Larry Tanenbaum?

MW: Larry has also been a good supporter of our events and when he heard of our plan, he reached out to wish success.

It was really cool to be in the directors’ lounge speaking with all the guests who all shared their own stories about what the Leafs meant to them.  

 There was a variety of food from shrimps to chicken wings, desserts, ice cream, peanuts and of course no shortage of liquor or beer. Lots of areas to sit and watch the intermission or game on the numerous big screen TV’s.  

It really hit me opening night that this journey was now ‘on’ and no turning back.

The support from everyone starting in the Directors Lounge got things off to a great start.

JR: How thrilling was it to visit Erik Blome’s studio in Woodstock, Illinois where all the bust of players on the Toronto Maple Leafs Legends Row are made?

MW: I had met Erik before; he’d visited The Room a few times and we attended the Opener in 2016,  we’ve stayed in contact.

The studio was great; he walked me through the whole process including the original sketches he presented to secure the job with MLSE. He had created numerous ideas, so it was interesting how things developed from a standstill (sketches that looked nothing like the finished product) to what we see today. Funny observing the moulds laying around the shop of different Leafs along with one of Wayne Gretzky he’d sculpted.  

Fascinating guy whose work includes numerous historical moments (Rosa Parks monument in Minneapolis).

The town of Woodstock is famous for the movie Groundhog Day but offers lots of charm with shops, restaurants and famous old theatre.

A very enjoyable day.

JR: Describe what it was like to witness the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-6 OT win in Chicago on Oct. 7th and the trilling goals being scored back and forth from Auston Matthews & Patrick Kane?

MW: Honestly, I was trying to record names, notes while arranging photos to send to Deb all game. Between periods I’d speak to fans, record, etc and when play started send all to google drive.

Since this was the first road game, I was still sorting out my routines and wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

I’d through luck met Garret Sparks sister along with his best friend, recording a great interview with her. This was his first start and, in his hometown, so lots of locals there to support him.

As I was processing everything I’d accumulated so far, the game 50 rows below me became a classic 70’s shootout. While all the craziness of the last few minutes was taking place, it suddenly hit me; if they lose and continue the slide on the road, fans will start blaming me as a jinx.  I can hear it all now.  TELL THAT DOPEY ULTIMATE LEAFS FAN TO STAY HOME!!!!

Quickly doing the math in my head after winning in OT, I thought, ‘ Whew, ok, one down; need 20 more wins to break even on the road to take me off the hook’. 

Once I was back in my hotel room, I replayed in my mind what I’d just witnessed and the firepower the team showed had me revved up to what could be in store the rest of the season.

I was so excited to get to O’hare Airport heading to my next stop in Dallas early the next morning, I barely slept.

Stay tuned for Part Two Tomorrow.