Over the past 100 years, millions of Canadian kids have grown up wanting to play for the Maple Leafs, dreaming of standing at centre at the Gardens or Air Canada Centre in a blue and white sweater whether the Leafs are winning cups or struggling just to get in the playoffs. An estimated 900 players have suited up for at least one game, and more than 250 did in the most turbulent era in club history, 19782000. In that timespan, the Leafs made more than 300 trades, signed 20 free agents, claimed eight players on waivers, while almost 100 draft selections changed hands in addition to dozens of Toronto s own picks. Those players were on the ice anywhere from one to 200 games.
Unlike NHLers elsewhere, the names of Maple Leaf players aren t quickly forgotten by fans. A stint with the Leafs, no matter how short, carries a certain cachet, especially if they experienced a big game, a fight, a major injury, or infamous gaffe. Their names and sweater numbers live on as trivia talk years after they go back to the minors or to civilian life. And each player has a compelling story about his time with the most famous team in hockey.
Featuring 300 players, "Cup of Coffee" tells those stories with full-colour action pictures, shot by veteran Leafs photographer Graig Abel. Learn about these Brief Leafs their backgrounds, statistics, and memorable tales as detailed by veteran Leafs journalist Lance Hornby.
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