Taking training camp on the road is a great tradition for hockey teams. Taking it somewhere that doesn't get live NHL hockey much is an even bigger treat. This weekend, from September 18-20, the Toronto Maple Leafs headed east and began training camp in Bedford, Nova Scotia, to the delight of many locals.
You couldn't get tickets in advance so fans were lining up hours before the first day of scrimmage and practice. James Mirtle reported that some fans were skipping school and sleeping in cars. At 6:00 am when head coach Mike Babcock arrived he couldn't believe the sight. After screaming in delight for the scrimmages, and getting some autographs, the fans were told to "meet him "in the sunshine" to keep signing jerseys and T-shirts in front of the building."
Great welcome for the boys in Halifax. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/PUvvgk6QZA
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 18, 2015 If you weren't on the ice as a player, you were out in the parking lot as am ambassador.
Outside the rink, Peter Holland and Matt Frattin sign autographs for fans who haven't made it in yet. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/odY5NaLUN9
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 18, 2015 Joffrey Lupul meets some of the many fans who came out for day one of #Leafs camp. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/m1NVLgpi9j
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 18, 2015 Dion Phaneuf signs autographs for the fans here at #Leafs camp. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/iMD6AfvHfW
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 18, 2015 Players would spend time after getting off the ice to sign for the fans.
James van Riemsdyk signs for fans on his way off the ice. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/mc5tC9lKOZ
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 18, 2015 Babcock would hold media sessions at the end of each day and after that...
After he's done with the press, coach heads outside to sign autographs for fans. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/kxuc32hT9l
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 18, 2015 Michael Grabner was popular on the first day of camp. The day summed up in his own words:
Mitch Marner, Stuart Percy, and Lupul also had some press time.
On day two of camp some Maple Leafs alumni arrived to keep those fans in line happy.
Myrtle Connolly made the trip here from Newfoundland & got to meet her favourite player ever, Wendel Clark. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/WK9NOlBjwV
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 19, 2015 Some people don't need Wendel's autograph because they had it tattooed into their arm years ago. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/Xgc3jSaa02
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 19, 2015 Everyone wanted to know the details of camp, and how they kept in shape all summer. No one was safe.
Even @CarltonTheBear is subject to the media circuit at training camp. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/94thkbqpdF
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 19, 2015 It wasn't all work and no play, throughout the trip inactive players toured around their host city by hitting up tourist spots (in style!) and the HMCS Fredericton.
Some of the guys are checking out Citadel Hill with @parkscanada_ns today. #TMLtalk #ShareTheChair pic.twitter.com/r8KHI5OF0F
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 19, 2015 #squadgoals #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/TRMjx7BoUk
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 19, 2015 After day two of camp Bozak, Robidas, Kadri, and Matthias all chatted with the media.
On Sunday, they only had a half day on ice, and the Maple Leafs hosted a community BBQ to help raise money for KidsSport Nova Scotia (All admission fees to camp also went to them). The weekend would raise $13,803 for the charity.
Meanwhile, outside the rink, our charity BBQ in support of @Kidsport_ns has begun. Come on down! #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/DbeIMLOWix
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 20, 2015 Players were also back out there with the fans, having lunch and signing autographs.
Leo meets fans at our barbecue in support of @KidSport_NS. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/fZ2SmEESv5
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 20, 2015 Nazem Kadri signing for all the fans here. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/rQzobPpTJd
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 20, 2015 After camp, 16 players were cut:
| Player | Assigned To: |
| Stephen Desrocher | Oshawa (OHL) |
| Cody Donaghey | Halifax (QMJHL) |
| Martins Dzierkals | Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) |
| Eric Faille | Toronto (AHL) |
| T.J. Foster | Toronto (AHL) |
| Justin Holl | Toronto (AHL) |
| Aiden Jamieson | London (OHL) |
| Justin Johnson | Toronto (AHL) |
| Michael Joly | Rimouski (QMJHL) |
| Max Nicastro | Toronto (AHL) |
| Lucas Peressini | Kingston (OHL) |
| Jack Rodewald | Toronto (AHL) |
| Matt Rupert | Toronto (AHL) |
| Ryan Rupert | Toronto (AHL) |
| Nikolai Skladnichenko | Toronto (AHL) |
| Brady Vail | Toronto (AHL) |
Marlies camp is set to open next weekend.
The Leafs are back in action tonight, playing two games versus Ottawa (split squad).
And if you haven't entered yet...
RETWEET this tweet and you will be entered to win one of the great prizes below. #TMLTalk pic.twitter.com/H7snKFWmy4
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 16, 2015