We’re a little over a month away from the 2017 Centennial Classic, the outdoor game taking place at BMO Field in which the Toronto Maple Leafs will be hosting the Detroit Red Wings.
That means it’s time for some announcements!
First up: the jerseys. We had a potential leak not too long ago; now, we have something official.
It looks like the leak was accurate, but with adult sizing and proper lighting, these look so much better. They’re simple, they’re clean, and somebody please get the Leafs’ alternates out of the snow. (Hopefully the weather is good on Jan. 1.)
And naturally, the design has meaning all across the board. Via the Leafs press release:
Several elements of the uniform pay homage to the team’s past. The words ‘Honour, Pride and Courage’ stitched into the back of the neck of the sweater, similar to the team’s new sweaters, are taken from a famous Conn Smythe quote and represents the values the franchise strives to represent. The horizontal singular band of white across the body of the sweater is reminiscent of the Toronto St. Pats sweater worn from 1922 to 1925, and as a tribute to the franchise’s origin, the pants are adorned with a white Toronto Arenas “T.”
That isn’t all for the Leafs, though. Remember the Road to the Winter Classic series - the HBO and later Epix shows that give us an inside look at NHL teams about to play an outdoor game? Well they’re back, and became the Leafs are playing an outdoor game, we’ll get an inside look at how they perform.
Well, as much as Lou Lamoriello and Mike Babcock will let us.
The Leafs share the spotlight with the Red Wings, Blackhawks, and Blues this time around. Here’s the schedule, via the NHL and Epix’s press release:
Premiere – Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 10pm ET/PT, 9C
Episode 2 – Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 10pm ET/PT, 9C (re-air on Dec. 24 at 10 p.m. ET)
Episode 3 – Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 10pm ET/PT, 9C
Episode 4 - Wednesday, January 6 at 10pm ET/PT, 9C
And how to watch:
Sports fans can stream episode #1 as a simulcast on the following digital platforms:
Online at NHL.com and at EPIX.com (http://www.epix.com/nhl)
Via team sites - ChicagoBlackhawks.com, DetroitRedWings.com, StLouisBlues.com
Via the official EPIX App on Android, iOS, XBOX 360, PS3, PS4, Roku and Windows 8
I’m... not sure what this means, if it won’t be available on the Leafs site and, presumably, possibly not in Canada? But this is the age of the Internet, I’m sure you can figure out a way.