Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

Bobby McMann was the hero Toronto needed last night as he scored the two goals the Leafs needed to defeat the New York Islanders 2-1 to begin 2025 undefeated.

Leafs start 2025 with a McBang
Leafs split the two Islanders games on either side of the New Year.
PPP LeafsHardev

On the flip side of the coin, the losing side, Canada lost 4-3 to Czechia in the World Juniors quarter finals.

Canada gets eliminated from world juniors by Czechia for the second year in a row
Canada Czechia World Juniors
Ottawa CitizenDon Brennan

The second year in a row Czechia denies Canada a medal. This coming off a devastating elimination from the Spengler Cup and Canada is now 0-2 a tournaments to start the year. At least the Four Nations Face Off only has four teams so Canada is guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals

Speaking of devastating losses, will Auston Matthews ever come back?

‘It’s frustrating not playing’: Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews to miss another game with injury
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews skated with his teammates, but will not play Thursday against the New York Islanders.
Toronto

It's a centre. It's always been a centre.

They're pretty bold. Except #3 that's not even something to bat an eye about.

5 bold Toronto Maple Leafs’ predictions for 2025
2024 has been a very entertaining year surrounding the Toronto Maple L…
TheLeafsNationShane Seney

The early 00's Leafs were the teams that got me into the team. So yeah let's be like them. Except win the cup.

Maple Leafs Bear Strong Resemblance to Division-Winning 1999-00 Club - The Hockey Writers Toronto Maple Leafs Latest News, Analysis & More
The current Toronto Maple Leafs team is showing similarities to their division-winning 1999-00 predecessors of 25 years ago.
The Hockey WritersBen Fisher

Why are the Coyotes being included? They've been put down. But if you must include them, at least two of the top Coyotes of the quarter century are now Maple Leafs.

Arizona Coyotes Quarter-Century Teams unveiled | NHL.com
Doan, Ekman-Larsson, Smith among best; Keller, Schmaltz active players selected
NHL logoNHLdotcom

What's your hockey resolution this year? Mine is to not be mad at this stupid team for once in my life.

I think I already failed.

NHL Power Rankings: It’s resolution season
We’re dedicating the first power ranking of 2025 to identifying one resolution for all 32 clubs. The new year, after all, is a time to dream big.
Sportsnet.caRyan Dixon

Top youth hockey programs love the changes coming up for 10 and over hockey. No more residency restrictions on recruiting.

But how will smaller clubs fare?

‘It could kill us’: Area AAA hockey program wary of policy change
‘We will work through it as we have before,’ North Central Predators official says of major changes coming to minor hockey
BarrieToday.comTyler Evans

The Women's U18 tournament starts this weekend in Vantaa, Finland and Canada had a generational talent on the blue line. Future Scepter perhaps?

Chloe Primerano among Canadians named to women’s under-18 hockey team
Chloe Primerano will lead Canada into the women’s world under-18 hockey championship. The 17-year-old defender from North Vancouver, B.C., was among 24 players announced Tuesday by Hockey Canada for the Jan.
The Albertan

Finally, with the Kentucky Thoroughblades long gone, the need for grassroots hockey is high and some in Kentucky are working to spread the good word about the beautiful game.

SoKY Ice Rink offering lessons for growing hockey community - WNKY News 40 Television
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -Bowling Green is slowly becoming a hockey town and with the close proximity to the Nashville Predators, Bowling Green is creating some life long fans of hockey. The SoKY Ice Rink is hosting a different event for both adults and children who are looking to both get into the sport and refine the skills they already have.…
WNKY News 40 TelevisionTommy Modeszto

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches