Maple Leafs Unveil Centennial Slogan "Stand Witness" Ahead Of Matthews' Record Debut

The Maple Leafs prior to their season opener last night against the Senators unveiled "Stand Witness" as their "Centennial Anniversary slogan," according to Mike Zeisberger of the TORONTO SUN. The slogan is part of the team's marketing strategy "based on the credo: 'A history 100 years in the making. A future that begins now.” Accompanied by the hashtag #standwitness, the team released a commercial in which an "old man recalls the highs and lows of the decades of Leafs hockey he’s seen." When "suffering young Leafs fans say they are jealous of the good times he’s seen with the team, the elderly chap responds about what the kids are about to see in the months and years ahead." MLSE VP/Marketing & Communications Shannon Hosford, who is "overseeing the #standwitness campaign," held the same responsibilities for the Raptors' "We The North" campaign (TORONTO SUN, 10/13). The slogan was announced before Maple Leafs rookie C Auston Matthews made history by scoring four times in his NHL debut last night, resulting in an eruption of tweets. TSN's Natasha Staniszewski: "We might need to get a defibrillator in the newsroom if this keeps up." ESPN's Linda Cohn: "USA hockey is just fine." Orange County Register's Eric Stephens: "Leafs to break tradition, will retire Auston Matthews' No. 34 at Saturday's home opener against Boston." Getty Images Sport: "@MapleLeafs team store might want to start stocking up on hats." Former NHLer Aaron Ward: "That moment Auston Matthews gets 4 in 1st career game, causing you to reflect on your NHL career wondering if you even got 4 in practice." Toronto Star's Kevin McGran: "#Leafs are winless in games in which Auston Matthews scores fewer than five goals." FS Midwest's Jim Hayes: "Americans doing great things in sweaters: 1. Ken Bone 2. Auston Matthews."

REMEMBERING HISTORY: The Maple Leafs today are scheduled to "unveil their latest additions to Legends Row," the collection of statues outside Air Canada Centre. The likenesses of Dave Keon, Tim Horton and Turk Broda will increase the number of monuments to 10. The unveiling is "part of the weekend festivities surrounding the Leafs’ home opener" Saturday against the Bruins, which also "includes the team’s top 100 players of all time" (TORONTO STAR, 10/13).