The Maple Leafs on Thursday "kicked off their centennial season celebration" at the Hockey HOF, opening an exhibition "detailing the team’s up-and-down history," according to Kevin McGran of the TORONTO STAR. Other Leafs announcements for commemorative events for the upcoming season include wearing "Toronto St. Patricks green" on March 18 against the Blackhawks, and sending their 18 player banners "on an international tour." The team also said that the celebratory year would end Dec. 19, 2017 on "the actual 100th anniversary of the first game played by the Toronto Arenas." The Leafs will also host "three preseason games in non-NHL cities (Halifax, St. Catharines and Hamilton)," and a "list of the 100 greatest Maple Leafs will be revealed." Meanwhile, Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan said that there will be a "few surprises along the way." Shanahan: "We’ve got a lot of plans. If you’re a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, it’s been our goal to make this a special year" (TORONTO STAR, 7/8). In Toronto, Lance Hornby notes the team also is planning an October ceremony to "unveil the statues of three new members" of Legends Row outside the Air Canada Centre: Hockey HOFers Dave Keon, Turk Broda and Tim Horton. Other reveals included that the team's home opener Oct. 15 against Bruins will feature "many VIPs." And the Hockey HOF game will be played on Nov. 11 against the Flyers, the weekend that Eric Lindros and late Leafs coach Pat Quinn "will be inducted" (TORONTO SUN, 7/8).
