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February 14: On this day in 1927,Toronto’s premier hockey franchise became known as the Maple Leafs after a group headed by Mr. Conn Smythe purchased the team on this Valentine’s Day that was formerly known as the Blueshirts, Shamrocks, Marlboros, Arenas and the St. Patricks. The club had earned the Stanley Cup championship in 1918 as Toronto Arenas and in 1922 as Toronto St. Pat’s, and so mister Smythe started laying the foundation that evolved into the current appearance of the storied Toronto Maple Leafs.
February 14: On this day in 1931, the Maple Leafs scored an historic first when three assists were awarded on the same goal. Charlie Conacher scored for the Leafs and assists were given King Clancy, Joe Primeau and Busher Jackson. The Leafs tied the Detroit Falcons 1-1.
February 14: On this day in 1933, Eddie Shore of the Boston Bruins was involved in an unfortunate on-ice collision on December 12th of the same year that ended the career of Toronto forward Ace Bailey. As a result of the tragedy, the first large-scale benefit game in NHL history was held at Maple Leaf Gardens, on February 14, 1934. One of the most unforgettable scenes in hockey history occurred prior to the opening faceoff when Shore and Bailey shook hands. Read the full story...
February 14: On this day in 1968, left-winger Andre Hinse played the last of his four-game career in the NHL, all with the Leafs during the 1967-68 season. He never made the scoresheet. This time, the Canadiens defeated Toronto 4-2. Hinse went on to enjoy a solid minor-league career, never playing another game in the NHL.
February 14: On this day in 1985, the Leafs acquired right-winger Larry Landon from Montreal in exchange for defenseman Gaston Gingras. Larry Landon played 7 games for the Leafs but did not record a point. He was released at the end of the season. Gingras returned to Montreal where he had broken into the NHL originally. He helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup in 1986.
February 14: On this day in 2001, the Maple Leafs faced-off against the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first time ever at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The game ended in a 2-2 tie. As of 2007-08 the two teams had played each other only 6 times with the Leafs holding an all-time winning record of W-4, L-0, T-1, OL-1.
February 14: On this day in 2004, Robert Reichel of the Leafs gave goaltender Mika Noronen of the Buffalo Sabres a precious Valentine when he passed the puck to the point from behind the Sabres net, missing everybody with the errant pass but his own empty net. Noronen was credited with the goal and the Sabres won 6-4. It was the 10th goal scored by a goaltender in NHL history. As of 2008, no Leaf goalie has ever scored a goal.
