No matter how the local teams perform, Toronto could host some big games in the next few seasons.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has made a pitch to the NHL for Toronto to hold the annual Winter Classic at BMO Field, a pair of entry drafts, as well as all-star games for both the NHL and Major League Soccer.
"Over the next four years we hope to have four major events," Richard Peddie, president and chief executive officer of MLSE, said in an interview Tuesday after addressing a sports management conference.
Peddie said the company, which owns the Maple Leafs, Raptors and Toronto FC, has made a formal pitch for the 2011 and 2012 NHL entry drafts. The league also "clearly knows we're interested" in a future all-star game and the Winter Classic, which is held outside Jan. 1.
Peddie and Leafs general manager and president Brian Burke escalated the sales pitch on Tuesday while guiding NHL commissioner Gary Bettman through MLSE's new training complex in Etobicoke. The commissioner also got a walk through the company's Maple Leaf Square development around the Air Canada Centre, which could be a focal point of public draft and all-star game festivities.
"In my mind, Toronto is the centre of the hockey universe," said Burke, who is also co-owner of the company which hosted the two-day conference. "People who don't live here hate to hear that but it's true.
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Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by HABSSTAR(loserleafs@hotmail.com) on Wednesday, November 11 @ 09:04:48 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
Sweeeeeeeeeeet!
I smell Leafs-Habs outdoor game!
Hell we can turn it into an ugly sweater contest. The Leafs can wear that St. Pat's sweater and the Habs can wear their prison uniforms. What a treat for the eyes! lol
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by the_word on Wednesday, November 11 @ 09:59:10 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
Meh, gimmicks. I suppose if I was eleven I'd care.
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by mtl_prince on Wednesday, November 11 @ 10:31:15 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
Draft I see happening...but 2? All-star game I see happening, outdoor game, it would have to be at the skydome....
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by number15 on Wednesday, November 11 @ 11:36:56 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
2011 DRAFT?...... i think Burke would be pressured into landing a first rounder that year considering Leafs gave theirs to Boston. Oh, and also, how embarrassing would it be if the Bruins selected #1 overall in Toronto with the Leafs picks, ouch! Leafs are better served going after Draft 2012.
as for the winter classic. It will be in BMO field not Rogers centre. MLSE owns BMO field and its more up to date even though it dosent carry nearly as much spectators..... Leafs vs. Canadiens would be classic alrite.
All-star game, now thats what i wanna see in Toronto again. hopefully they have some players capable of playing in it by then. Im assuming Kaberle will be traded and Kessel isent quite there yet.
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by glotz_99(*****thesens@yahoo.co) on Wednesday, November 11 @ 14:39:40 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
I was wondering why they want to have it at BMO field, which only seats 25,000 with temporary seating, rather than the Rogers Centre which seats 55,000. I was told the reason is they are unable to open the skydome roof in the winter, so it wouldn't really be an outdoor game.
It would be sick to see the two greatest teams the LEAFS and HABS play an outdoor game, but im sure our dumb kike commisioner would rather put a game in Miami, Flordia or Nashville, Tennsesee so they can sell out the game and he can tell the media how much they love hockey here.
On another note I heard last year the Wings were thinking about playing an original six team, maybe the Leafs at Ford Field. Although it's a not an outdoor game it would be pretty cool to play in front of 65,000 fans.
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by mojo19 on Wednesday, November 11 @ 15:19:07 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
I would love to go see an All-Star game again. Last time it was in Toronto, years ago me and my brother went Saturday night to the skills competition, it was pretty awesome to watch.
Best part was the individual stickhandling competition between Steve Yzerman of the North American team, and Peter Forsberg of the World team. Stevie Y won, and it was a great day.
The end.
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by Kramer on Wednesday, November 11 @ 15:30:50 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
Outdoor games are no good because the cheerleaders gotta wear too much clothing.
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by FlamingHomer on Saturday, November 14 @ 09:38:56 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
I really think the Winter Classics should be exclusive for the American markets. They have the best venues and need the exposure more than any of the Canadian teams. This would build the sport better there than the All Star Game which I feel is becoming a joke.
