Maple Leafs unveil ‘Next Century Game’ jerseys

This afternoon the Toronto Maple Leafs unveiled the jersey that players will wear during their “Next Century Game” scheduled for Tuesday December 19. The game commemorates the first official NHL game played by the hockey club in 1917.

The jersey is modeled after the sweaters of the original Toronto NHL team, the Toronto Arenas (1917-1919).

Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston gives us a better look at the full jersey here:

For historical accuracy, the game will begin at 2:00 pm Eastern. Slightly less historically accurate is that Leafs will be playing the Carolina Hurricanes.

Toronto Mayor John Tory was present at the announcement, where he declared December 19, 2017 “Toronto Maple Leafs Day”. Schoolchildren who had been invited to the announcement were given tickets to the game as well as a note signed by several Leafs players giving them permission to miss school for the day.

There is a Toronto Arenas jersey hanging in the Leafs locker room that has been captured in videos made by the team. It hangs next to last year’s special jersey inspiration:

A little digging shows that the captain of the team who would have worn #16 was likely Ken Randall, a 5’10” and 180 lb right wing from Kingston.