Day one of the 2011 NHL Rookie Tournament was a good one for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as the young Buds came from behind to defeat Chicago 4-2.  Mark Owuya looked sharp in his first action on the North American ice surface and two Leaf defensive prospects showed why they are rated so highly.  Jesse Blacker was solid throughout the game, showing better defensive awareness than he did in last summer's camp.  Jake Gardiner, playing for the first time in a Leafs uniform, wowed the crowd with his skating and offensive acumen.  It will be fun to see those two continue to develop with the Marlies this winter.

More Rookie Tournament links after the jump...

The kids are most certainly alright

Mislav (Xterratu) has a few thoughts on last night's game

Tender years taking a toll

Mislav has a few more thoughts on youth and wear & tear in the NHL

MapleLeafs.com interview with Sondre Olden

A non-serious (fun?) interview with the young Norwegian (seriously, who doesn't know what a fjord it?)

Six teams, six goalies...was it really that way before expansion?

VLM explains why it wasn't and still isn't

New photos over at Vintage Leafs

More Leafs goodness