Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada is an historic arena that was constructed as an arena for ice hockey. Considered one of the "cathedrals" of ice hockey, the arena was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League from 1931 - 1999. From 1932 - 1967, the Leafs won 11 Stanley Cups while playing at the Gardens.
The Gardens opened on November 12, 1931 with the Maple Leafs losing to the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 2-1. Five years later, the Gardens would play host to the first NBA game in history between the Toronto Huskies and New York Knicks. During the 1990s, the owners of the Gardens considered a number of new sites to replace the arena as it had become to small and lacking in revenue-generating luxury boxes.
The Maple Leafs eventually moved to nearby Air Canada Centre that they share with the Toronto Raptors of the NBA.
Canadian Retailer, Loblaw Companies and Ryerson University agreed to turn the Gardens into a joint grocery store and athletic centre for both companies.
MAPLE LEAF GARDENS FACTS:
Toronto Maple Leafs won 11 Stanley Cups while playing in the arena
Site of the first NBA game on November 12, 1931
Only North American venue to host The Beatles during their three tours
First arena in the NHL to have separate penalty boxes on November 8, 1963
Only Elvis Presley concerts outside of the US on April 2, 1957
First NHL arena to have Plexiglas inserted in the end zones of the rink in the 1946 - 1947 NHL season
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