Toronto Maple Leafs take training camp to cottage country
The Toronto Maple Leafs are sharpening their skills in cottage country with one week to go before the start of a new season.
"What's up, Gravenhurst," the Toronto Maple Leafs posted to Twitter Wednesday, along with pictures of players greeting fans.
Fans flocked to the Leafs' practice at the Centennial Centre in Gravenhurst, filling the stands in their blue and white.
"Thankfully, we are doing drills that we've all done before today; otherwise, we would have been in one a bit," NHL superstar Austin Matthews said, adding he could barely hear Coach Sheldon Keefe over the cheering fans.
And the fans weren't the only ones enjoying the experience.
"You get out there, and you just hear the kids yelling. It's a blast to come out here and practice in front of them," said Leafs forward William Nylander.
"It's always fun to do these kinds of things," said Leafs forward Mitch Marner. "It's a good time hearing all those chants and the fans having fun with it."
Coach Keefe said fan interaction with the team was lost throughout the pandemic with empty arenas amid COVID restrictions.
"This year is even more special and unique for us, obviously, because we're involved in the local community more," he noted.
Fans young and old couldn't hide their excitement over having the Leafs in their backyard.
"It's amazing. It's really cool to see them that close. If you think about going to a stadium, you could never have this experience," said one attendee.
Some students got a break from school to attend the practice and see their favourite players on the ice. And for the team, it was a break from the grind of training camp.
"You know you get away. You get out of the city. Get out of our regular routine. It's a long season. You spend a lot of time in your facility," added Keefe.
Fans, including 400 students from Gravenhurst High School, will get one more chance to see the Leafs up close and personal in Muskoka when the team hit the ice again Thursday for another practice at Graeme Murray Arena.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles IIIās doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kidsā bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a āmisuseā of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.