Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

While we're still light on Leafs news, there was a team with a Maple Leafs on its chest playing one of their biggest games ever last night.

The Canadian Men's soccer team made it all the way to the semi-finals of the Copa América tournament. This pits the national teams from the Americas against each other for hemispherical bragging rights.

Canada made it to the semi-finals of the tournament, our best showing ever, and was the only North American team left.

The opponent: reigning World Cup and Copa América champions Argentina.

Copa America Takeaways: Canada learns valuable lesson in loss to Argentina
Despite the loss to Argentina, Canada will walk away from the Copa America with a great deal of pride, secure in the knowledge it can compete against the game’s best. They’ll also leave having learned some valuable lessons.
Sportsnet| July 9, 2024, 11:33 PM

While they overcame low expectations through the tournament, they were outmatched by the past champions, and the referees, and lost 2-0.

Canada loses to Argentina in Copa America semifinal, but the lessons have been golden
The run to the final four (and there’s still a third-place game to play) helps the learning curve as Canada prepares for 2026 World Cup.
Toronto StarJoe Callaghan

A true soccer blowout. Still, a semi-finals appearance is nothing to be sad about. The future of mens Canadian soccer is bright. I mean, they even scored a goal at the last world cup!

The one piece of Maple Leafs news we have is Wes Clark leaving Toronto and reuniting with Kyle Dubas in Pittsburgh.

Maple Leafs’ draft czar Wes Clark departs for Pittsburgh
The Maple Leafs’ former Director of Player Personnel & Amateur Scouting is headed to Pittsburgh. After running the Leafs’ draft (and announcing the Leafs’ 31st-overall pick of Ben Danford at the podium) in Vegas in late June, Clark took part in the Leafs’ most recent development camp through this past weekend before leaving the organization […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveAlec Brownscombe

It's not too surprising, as Clark has worked for Kyle Dubas football but two years of his hockey career. Will this hurt the Leafs future drafts or were we only clinging to a name to pin our hopes and dreams on?

In less newsy notes a reddit user may have found Auston Matthews first cover photo.

Small area hockey? Check. Coyotes jersey? Check. That nose? Check.

Gotta be Auston.

PWHL Toronto re-signed goaler Carly Jackson for one more season, yesterday.

PWHL TORONTO AND CARLY ‘CJ’ JACKSON REACH CONTRACT EXTENSION
Professional Women's Hockey Leagueamclellan

A popular member of the team, they only played one game last season but you gotta have those people who are good in the room, you know?

The Canada-USA rivalry series between the two national women's teams announced it's scheduled. They'll be playing on the west side of the US - San Jose, CA, Boise, Idaho, and Salt Lake City. Utah before crossing the continent to finish up in the Marines - Halifax, NS and Summerside, PEI

Canada-US women’s hockey series will wrap in Halifax and Summerside, PEI
The Rivalry Series between the Canadian and American women’s hockey teams will return in 2024-25, with Atlantic Canada hosting the final two games.
Yahoo SportsThe Canadian Press

Ah, mid July hockey news.

It doesn't exist!

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches