Inside the Palace: A History of Maple Leaf Gardens

It might be getting too old and too small for professional hockey, but for Canadian hockey fans, Maple Leaf Gardens is a place of pilgrimage. Since 1931 the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs has hoisted 11 Stanley Cup banners and been a second home to players, staff and owners, including the recently deceased (and much despised) Harold Ballard. In this documentary for The Journal, reporter Allen Abel looks back at almost 60 years of history at the Gardens.

[@streetcarjay]

Harold Ballard never cared about the Leafs, fans and the game of hockey in general. His favorite thing was the Carlton Street Cashbox.

[@joer8854]

Harold Bastard more like it.

[@AllyStrikesBack]

F**k that guy!

[@u2ooby]

He only colored every bit of his cottage blue and white....

[@Outta-hz1ej]

I still can't believe that bastard used the Cup Banners as paint rags and sold them

[@ReggieKSanshire]

"Knowing Harold, I'm more surprised he didn't find a way to sell tickets to it."

[@IPeach10]

I lived in Toronto in the 1960's, it was a great time to be a Leafs fan. Watched some games at the Gardens and even got the chance to play a city championship game there. What a thrill!

[@gregoryian123]

When Johnny said saerdinight he brought a tear to my eye. My mom's generation said Saturday the same way John did . Thanx for the memory JB

[@RawKnee1111]

As a young boy growing up in Toronto's west side, me and my buddies would take the college street car from High Park to the Gardens to watch the Jr A Marlies on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. It was the best way to get into the Palace, since it was impossible to get a ticket for a Leaf game.

[@ldhorricks]

I was fortunate enough to go to games in every original six building before they were abandoned by their teams...all of them with their particular quirks...Chicago Stadium where the players had to walk up steps to the ice level. Boston Garden where the teams shared the same tunnel access...the visiting team had to basically go through the Bruins bench to get to their locker room...many others. These buildings had character and now there they have corporate names and advertising all over the boards and ice...and PA announcers that sound like Tractor pull announcers...the organ replaced by blaring music and give away announcements. Truck Horns blasting to celebrate a goal. So much has been lost with not a great deal gained.

[@altfactor]

The Toronto Maple Leafs were not only "Canada's team" (outside of Quebec), but thanks to Foster Hewitt's radio broadcasts on powerful CBC Radio stations whose signals penetrated well south into the United States, they were also "America's hockey team" (outside of Boston, New York, Detroit, and Chicago).

[@M4runner4x41983]

I miss my childhood growing up in the 80's-90's on saturday nights with cbc on.....

[@MrUndersolo]

At least they continued their tradition of choking in the playoffs when Herr Ballard was kicked off this mortal plain.

[@JG-zn1yj]

I’m just scratching my head at the lack of foresight for NOT perfectly preserving a prestigious Canadian cultural and historical building for hockey ( as is) and not turning it into a supermarket. . Why wouldn’t they have just turned maple leaf gardens into a special event venue for the Leafs or for playoff games or something like feature games during the season . Have the scotia bank Center still but Why not have just upgraded and modernized the utilities at MLG and preserve the history . Such a shame ., to mankind in general .. could u imagine the chance we would have all had to maybe go see a game at the gardens as we did as children or say the Montreal forum . Or Chicago stadium how enlightening it would have been . . . What’s wrong with city planners and people in general don’t u see that their lack of future vision is affecting our culture ? Wake up people change starts now . Let’s learn from this and keep stadiums alive .. same goes for the exhibition stadium . How cool would it have been to go see a game there that the jays play in 3-4 times a year . Canada day or something ... don’t even get me started about things like old Yankee stadium ! Let’s wake up a bit people !

[@ldhorricks]

Well foresight and , historical value and integrity are words that developers and planners have hard time comprehending.

[@rarefiedtennis4777]

James Gray I agree totally ! So sad ! Society is pathetic!!

[@joer8854]

@@rarefiedtennis4777 Actually MSLE made sure that the Gardens could never again host another event. I would agree with the guy who said they should have turned it into the hall of fame. Supposedly, MSLE was so scared of that building they refused to sell until they could make it part of owning the building that it never be used as a venue again. Now it's used by Ryerson University.

[@rarefiedtennis4777]

Joe R HHoF would of been unbelievable!! Keep the ice surface , no ice but exhibits ,benches , leaf dressing room. I shop and watch Ryerson hockey a lot. At least they saved a little. 😊

[@snjohns]

Maple Leaf Gardens is one of the most important buildings in Canadian history, not just from a hockey standpoint but from a broader cultural one. The fact MLSE was only willing to sell it on the condition it not be used as a "competitor" for the ACC is an indictment of them as a corporation. I will say that Ryerson did a wonderful job of preserving at least an element of the old building - it's well-worth seeing a game there if you haven't had the chance already.

[@johnc94]

I miss going to the Maple leaf gardens my first time ever in Maple leaf gardens I was 11 years old I went to a Preseason game against the Edmonton Oilers and Wayne Gretzky was in the lineup and Mark Messier Glenn Anderson Dave semenko Grant fuhr in net... damn I miss the grand old lady on Carlton

[@christopheroliver2465]

The closing of Maple Leaf Gardens really affected the socio-economic environment of Carlton Street. Empty storefronts, lack of cleanliness, and just crazy people roaming Carlton has made the front of MLG a scary place. The conversation of the lower level to a Loblaws at least is okay. The work done by Ryerson is outstanding. I worry, however, about the safety of the Ryerson kids. I hope that the university provides ample security for them, for Ryerson is a fine University.

[@bb-gc2tx]

those crazy people roaming the streets are all of ballads ex employees 🤣

[@mikestevenson576]

I think the whole idea of having a major venue in the heart of the city has gone by the wayside. Isn't it hard to picture 16 thousand people converging for an event in Toronto nowhere near the Gardiner?

[@mvk4343]

I was just a kid in the 90s, but I have still seen more games at MLG than I have at the ACC/Scotiabank Arena.

[@tdunph4250]

Man I saw some HORRIBLE games in the early-mid 80's LOL Almost left me scarred for life!

[@vader97100]

“Harold Ballard has been called many things but one thing everyone has agreed to call him is ‘a terrible man’ “

[@ronbonora7872]

YUP. A terrible man who through the Harold E. Ballard Foundation still to this day gives millions to charity every year. But a hockey owner he was useless to say the least!

[@Lalayo69]

Say that to the charities he gave to

[@dannythomas417]

​@@ronbonora7872 Ballard was an asshole. But Jacques Lemaire is the death of this league.

[@christopheroliver2465]

Loved those MLG tickets. Once had a keychain that was a replica of a green ducat.

[@lebowe385]

what a great building that sadly now has become a fucking loblaws....toronto should have turned this historic building into a theatre/opera house or a museum but NO IT HAS TO BECOME A FUCKING LOBLAWS...disgraceful.

[@mikestevenson576]

Way too big to be a theatre or opera house.

[@peachman1970]

From 1:06 to 1:12 is a shot from Canada's hockey Cathedral...the Montreal Forum.

[@johnnydutchman1971]

They should have made the Gardens into the Hockey Hall of Fame in my opinion.

[@rydo2012]

Thanks for uploading this video.

[@jockejocke1]

Probert scored the final goal in MLG unless I'm mistaken.

[@OnGod1007]

And the last line in the dressing room.

[@beaversroastingbacon1679]

Great doc!

[@kenj.8897]

Damn that reporter was a real depressing dude .

[@noblecyborg-savage]

How

[@gregoryian123]

The reporter (if you can call him that) is just there to do a hatchet piece.

[@mikematthews3409]

Cool upload

[@Supesfan88]

And then they turned it into a God Damn Loblaws.

[@jeffwarr11]

obscene. At least there's still a rink upstairs. MLSE has enough dough, they should have just renovated the grand old lady. Nothing against the ACC, but it ain't the Gardens

[@arricammarques1955]

National landmark turned into a grocer? Travesty.

[@mikestevenson576]

@@jeffwarr11 It wasn't big enough for what they needed to do.

[@bangkokfed]

1:57 Unless it's an inside joke, I don't understand your labeling of Smythe as "feckless".

[@sudsysutherland359]

Wow I’m glad I found this cool video!! A lot of rich hockey history made here with 13 Stanley Cups hoisted here, I know it says 11 but the Toronto Maple Leafs won 11 Cups under the Maple Leafs name & 2 under the green/white St.Pats name. Montreal has 24 Cups then Toronto with 13 then Detroit with 11 & so on. Edmonton has 6 & Calgary 1 when it comes to other Canadian teams. Ottawa won a few Stanley Cups before it was called the NHL.

[@peachman1970]

Toronto Arenas won the cup in 1918 at the Mutual Street Arena and the club folded on February 20, 1919. St. Patricks were not the same franchise...they paid 5,000 to Frank Calder to join the league. Leafs have no business of claiming the Arenas cup win in 1918.

[@Outta-hz1ej]

@@peachman1970 the Arenas were sold to the St. Pats. Would the Jets've won a cup would the Phoenix Coyotes not count it?

[@peachman1970]

@@Outta-hz1ej No they were not. The Arenas folded on February 20, 1919. The St. Patricks were an existing amateur hockey club that gained entry into the National Hockey League by paying $5,000 to NHL president Frank Calder...they did not pay any money to the former Arenas owners. Only four players from the Arenas joined the St. Patricks club...Corbett Denneny, Reg Noble, Ken Randall, and Harry Cameron. It was NOT a franchise transfer.

[@Outta-hz1ej]

@@peachman1970 fair nuff ah well, c'mon it's a blue n white toranna team close nuff I guess

[@peachman1970]

@@Outta-hz1ej MLSE is erroneously claiming the Arenas history as their own. Maple Leafs can claim the history of the St. Patricks as their own as Conn Smythe had bought the Toronto St. Patricks with borrowed money to prevent the franchise from moving to Philadelphia and renamed the club the Maple Leafs in February 1927. Take care. :-)

[@bb-gc2tx]

i wonder if ballads apartment is still there locked up like a time capsule

[@SuperPineboy]

when did harold ballard become a hockey legend?

[@VolumedMusicMan]

Derek Smith How did Harold Ever get into the NHL Hall of Fame? That’s crazy!

[@timburr4453]

@@VolumedMusicMan Well, he was famous and important. Just for all the wrong things

[@gymrat2647]

Cool video sadly never got to watch a game there when I use to be a leafs fan

[@rogerm2420]

I haven't lived in Toronto or 20 years but I was fortunate enough to see a few Leaf games during the 70's. At one time, I worked for CBC on Carlton Street near to the Gardens. I'd walk in off the street during my lunch break and watch a visiting team have their morning skate. Great experience. I've noticed on the internet that the building is still used as an area for hockey. Much of the shell remains recognizable. I'd suggest paying a visit if you can, at least you'll get a feel for how great the building once was. Good luck...Go Leafs Go!

[@leeharveyosmosis]

Why is the news lady on an intergalactic spaceship? 0:02

[@MalWave]

"and of course Harold Ballard..." BOY DO WE KNOW.,

[@whitecloud_94]

So when players signed contracts they had to literally walk through Harold Ballard's stinky old man apartment?

[@imannonymous7707]

The mens bathrooms were so disgusting in this sacred old hall . It was literally a troft in the cement floor with the wreak of mothballs that kicked u in the face as you entered lol They wont show us that tho

[@canadian_ray_finkleeh9019]

The grand old lady on cartlon Street

[@outlawlover1]

From 1991 !!!

[@Drumguy48]

Ballard was the poster boy for terrible team ownership.

[@SP.007]

2:58 - 3:02 - the guy in back looks out of place. Like a time traveller.

[@annebarnett4258]

1:02 Can you make a phone call with that thing?

[@rwcrsarrc]

nice piece but not one mention of the man who built MLG, the great Conn Smythe - Conn is the true Father of the Maple Leafs

[@scottpayne2275]

Did you not watch the video?

[@VolumedMusicMan]

Friend watch it again he’s on there

[@ldhorricks]

The Documentary started off with Smythe...you must started watching 1/3 of the way in.

[@terrybono5995]

MLG a simple history of losing since 1967 when you needed to win more than 8 games in the playoffs and where a predator stalked young boys for decades

[@TheJhn924]

There were two charged and convicted... Stuckless and Roby. Others escaped justice.

[@CM-jt2pw]

Palace 😅

[@johnpatterson4272]

In earnest this video is a CBC anti-Ballard diatribe. Albeit, Ballard was a joke in his day for castrating a legendary hockey franchise. Fast forward to the 21st century and all we have what has become known as 'the spring-choke' by the Leafs. So what has changed???

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

🍁🌲🦫

[@andrewthomson9646]

1:06 definitely not Maple Leaf Gardens haha

[@peachman1970]

1:06 is not MLG...it's actually a shot of the Forum...you can see the support colums that were removed in the 1968 renovation.

[@REDKRAKEN18]

How about about no Stanley Cups the Leafs will never win

[@mreppen1]

What about the sexual assaults

[@ronflatter1235]

Ballard was a tyrant, but dumping on him in this commentary just after his death was cowardly and tacky.

[@HardRockMiner]

Harrold Ballard was/is the worst thing to ever happen to hockey. He was a terrible person who made horrible choices. His existence has cursed The Toronto Maple Leafs forever.

[@peachman1970]

The Montreal Forum is Canada's hockey cathedral. Far greater history than MLG.

[@snjohns]

Hockey's only one part of the Gardens' history: it was (and, I suppose, still is) a significant venue for other sports, concerts, cultural events and political rallies. They're both important buildings. It's genuinely sad seeing what's become of the Forum.

[@peachman1970]

@@snjohns Hockey is also only a part of the Montreal Forum's legacy...the legendary concerts, the wrestling and boxing matches, the political rallies, the funeral of Howie Morenz with 15,000 people in attendance, the midnight masses, etc. It is sad that Maple Leaf Gardens was also a venue for the now well publicized pedophilia. I will always take issue with anyone who purports that MLG is Canada's hockey cathedral.

[@snjohns]

@@peachman1970 Oh, for sure - they're both important cultural buildings, not just important hockey arenas, a fact that was certainly lost here when the Gardens shut down. I'll always regret that I never got to a game at the Forum; I did get to the Gardens once, but I wish those two buildings were still being used for their intended purposes.

[@terryaube6477]

The forum was way better

[@eddriver7815]

ah ah ah ,,,, the Canada Hockey Shrine is the Montreal forum .... not Dead Leafs Gardens . Honest mistake by Englais what significance does the year 1967 mean to Dead Leafs fans ....Les Canadien have won 7 cups since then. The most famous hockey building in the world is ... The Montreal Forum >>> end of story ......