Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

First off, apologies to the Lamenting the Leafs podcast for stealing their bit, but I also have random Leafs pop into my mind and then I have to hit up their Hockey DB page.

So, let's look back at the random Leaf I thought of tonight.

Robbie Earl was, I don't know why, the first Leafs prospect I latched onto. Born in Chicago, and raised in LA, he was a 6th round draft pick in 2004, coming from the University of Wisconsin.

Just ahead of the draft he was named NCAA (WCHA) rookie of the year after posting 27 points (14G, 13A) in 42 games. After being drafted he would play two more NCAA season, culminating in an NCAA championship and MVP award in 2006.

He turned pro with the Toronto Marlies in the 2006-07 season, scoring a respectable 30 points (12G, 18A) for a rookie.

Despite his NCAA success he would only play in nine Maple Leafs games in the 07/08 season, getting one assist. Midway through the 08/09 season he would be traded to the Minnesota Wild for future Marlies captain Ryan Hamilton.

Two seasons in the Minnesota system, with 38 NHL games included, he left North America to play on Europe where, outside one and a half seasons in Austria and Sweden, he set himself up for a career in the Swiss league, playing there from 2012-2021.

I saw him again when he was playing for Davos in the 2012 Spengler Cup

Elite prospects still lists him as an unrestricted free agent, so he hasn't officially retired but three years with no contract I think we can conclude this career.

So, after the Leafs, Robbie Earl went to Minnesota, then Europe. Thank you for your service Robbie, I'll always remember that one pre-season game I saw you in.

Now, some news.

The Maple Leafs won last night, despite the power play being....not great.

Leafs beat the Flyers
Not a pretty picture of a game, but it’s two points.
PPP LeafsCathy Squires

The win puts them six points ahead of the Florida Panthers for the division lead, and only two behind the Jets* for first overall.

Matthews knows talent, and he could be playing with Konecny, but we needed Travis Dermott more....

Auston Matthews lists Travis Konecny as NHL’s most underrated player
Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid are making waves with their new McD…
TheLeafsNationArun Srinivasan

The Maple Leafs were bringing some people who impacted the players lives along on this road trip.

Hall of Fame worlds collide: Bombers’ O’Shea joins Leafs’ mentors trip
The people invited to join the Toronto Maple Leafs mentors trip include NHL legends and the head coach of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Winnipeg SunPaul Friesen

Once again, fix the dang special teams!

Maple Leafs Midseason Report: Best surprises, biggest questions
The Toronto Maple Leafs keep pressing on and keep piling up wins by playing a predictable brand of hockey that has led them to the top of their division. Luke Fox takes a look at how that’s all working out.
Sportsnet.caLuke Fox

....but why was his phone in his pants?

KHL’s Dynyak Drops Cell Phone On Ice During Game
Ak Bars Kazan forward Nikita Dynyak’s phone ended up on the ice, falling out of his equipment as he pursued a player from Avangard Omsk.
Scouting The Refsscoutingtherefs

I once had a pair of underpants fall out of my hockey pants. They stuck in there during laundry, and being the guy to admit to owning the bright red underwear sitting in the crease was not the worst thing that's ever happened to me, but it's up there.

To me, as an outsider, this seems silly. But I guess I don't love JT Miller as much.

NHL Notebook: Canucks declined Rangers offer of Mika Zibanejad for J.T. Miller
More and more buzz continues to grow around the Vancouver Canucks and…
OilersNationZach Laing

In "random stat leaders news"...

Crosby passes Bergeron for most faceoff wins in NHL history
Sidney Crosby is officially the king of the dot.
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

As long as Bruins fans are even a tiny bit sad, that's cool.

Parahockey is being expanded in Calgary & Edmonton.

Para hockey school program expanded in Calgary, Edmonton
A one-time investment from the Alberta government will expand a para hockey program in Calgary and introduce the project to Grade 3 students in Edmonton.
Calgary

The Canadian women's junior team is showing up the men.

Canada completes perfect group stage at women’s U18 world hockey championship
Stryker Zablocki scored twice and Marilou Grenier made 20 saves as Canada blanked Czechia 5-0 Tuesday at the world women’s under-18 hockey championship.
Sportsnet.caCanadian Press

The fly-in nation in Manitoba needs some help to finish a community hub that will benefit the youth of the isolated community.

Finally, can they also do something about too loud PA systems blasting music?

Ear damage: P.E.I. top doctor blows the whistle on air horns at hockey games
Prince Edward Island’s chief public health officer is sounding the alarm on ear-splitting air horns at hockey arenas. Dr.
Coast Reporter

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches