Re-imagining the Toronto Maple Leafs as Disney Princesses

There’s nothing more iconic in the world of animation than Disney films and their princesses. In hockey, some may argue that that’s the same position the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves occupying. Those worlds have never met . . . until now.

Before we dig in, this isn’t going to be a stat heavy article. It carries the same degree of consequence as the look at the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrity doppelgangers or Your Guide to Naming Your Pet After the Leafs.

If serious hockey talk is what you’re after, this is the article for you.

Stick around to learn:

Who the Toronto Maple Leafs Would Be If They Were the Disney Princesses

Snow White

The captain of the team would be Snow White. That’s because John Tavares is the leader of the Leafs, much in the same way that Snow White guides the Seven Dwarves. For too long Snow White lived with her cold-hearted stepmother, the Queen. Tavares was raised by his cold-hearted stepmother, the New York Islanders before joining the Leafs.

Cinderella

If Auston Matthews is anyone, it’s Cinderella (with a thicker mustache). Just like Matthews, Cinderella is the bell of the ball. They both also do the dirty work without recognition. For the Maple Leafs, Matthews works hard to get back on defense and steal the puck off opponents similar to how Cinderella cleans up after her stepsisters. Finally, Matthews is also so stylish that if anyone on the team can pull off glass shoes, it’s him.

Jasmine

Mitch Marner is most similar to Jasmine from Aladdin. Marner plays like he’s flying on a magic carpet, able to make wonderful things happen with his stick. If Jasmine played hockey, she may not have reached Marner’s impressive mark of 23 straight games with a point. She does however have a pet tiger which is objectively awesome.

Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

William Nylander is most similar to Aurora from Sleeping Beauty. Aurora is cursed by an evil fairy named Maleficent. She finds a way to overcome the curse by getting a kiss from her one true love. Nylander has also been put in an unfavorable position but not by an evil fairy but by the fans of his own team. For years, there have been loud voices calling for the winger to be traded. Nylander has silenced his critics, broken his curse, and now receives kisses of his own.

Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

When the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Denis Malgin for Dryden Hunt, they knew what they were getting was a Belle from Beauty and the Beast. As far as we know, he doesn’t sing with talking tableware. Hunt fell in love with his own beast, and it isn’t the cities of Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat where he lived in while playing in the WHL. Hunt’s beast is his gritty style of play. He even flirts with fighting. Hunt’s had two scraps in the NHL and three more in the AHL. The biggest beast of all, however, may be Hunt’s inability to remain on the Leafs roster.

Pocahontas

Kyle Clifford is most like Princess Pocahontas. She was taken captive by Captain John Smith. Clifford has been a prisoner of the Maple Leafs. Clifford has been stuck playing the majority of his games for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL after being in the NHL for 12 years. In the end, Pocahontas becomes friends with Smith. If the parallel continues for Clifford, perhaps it means that he and the Marlies will win the Calder Cup.

Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Alexander Kerfoot’s princess lives under the sea, Ariel, from The Little Mermaid. Kerfoot breathes air and isn’t half fish (as far as we know). Ariel makes a deal that gets her legs. This is Kerfoot’s strength as one of the fastest skaters in Toronto.

Mulan

Rasmus Sandin can be given the nickname Mulan from the film of the same name. Mulan is a warrior who dresses like her father to take his place in the army while he is ill. Sandin goes to battle every night for the Maple Leafs. Though it has put him on the injured reserve list, Sandin hasn’t been afraid to go into the corners and show that he’s a warrior himself. When Sandin was removed from the game on Dec. 20 against the Lightning, he was the team’s hits leader having thrown 74 of them on the season.

Rapunzel

Jake Muzzin’s princess connection is Rapunzel. She was saved by a prince in the movie Tangled. The association is a superficial one connected by each of their hair follicles. For Rapunzel, it’s the long locks from the top of her head. Muzzin’s long hair emanates from his chin. While his visitors normally use the the door when they come to visit, climbing Muzzin’s beard to come in is never off the table. They should be cautious not to tug to vigorously until Muzzin has fully recovered from injury.

Tina (The Princess and the Frog)

Michael Bunting is the team’s Tiana from the film The Princess and the Frog. Tiana has a clear dream of owning a restaurant. She realizes that dream despite all the obstacles along the way. Like Tiana, Bunting’s been cooking. He was a finalist for the Calder Trophy last season and has continued to roll this year too. As for his culinary taste, he has confirmed that he orders from the “big boy menu”.

The Toronto Maple Leafs should embrace their inner princess. They must avoid all the problematic parts but say “yes” to their respective happily ever after.