Stamps unveiled to mark Maple Leafs' 100th anniversary

TORONTO - Those who suggest that the Toronto Maple Leafs are part of the fabric of Canada now have a stronger argument.

Before their game against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, the Maple Leafs were saluted with the introduction of three new Canadian postage stamps outside Air Canada Center
For the first time, Canada Post has adhered a miniature fabric crest to a stamp to mark the 100th anniversary of the Maple Leafs.
The commemorative issue includes both a booklet of 10 new silver logo stamps and a coil of 50 puck-shaped stamps in Maple Leafs blue.

The special fabric crest stamp, available only as a commemorative souvenir sheet, depicts the sweater worn by Maple Leafs captain Ted "Teeder" Kennedy during the 1949-50 NHL season, with the Maple Leafs crest in fabric. Kennedy played center for the team between from 1942 to 1957, and was captain for eight years. He remains the youngest to play for the Maple Leafs -- he was 17 when he made his debut on March 7, 1943 -- and the first, along with teammate Turk Broda, to win five Stanley Cup championships.
The Maple Leafs were born as the Toronto Hockey Club, casually called the Torontos, and then the Arenas and St. Pats before being rebranded with their current name in 1927 by owner Conn Smythe. Now 13-time winners of the Stanley Cup, they were original members of the four-team NHL in 1917 with the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Wanderers.
"The Toronto Maple Leafs are a part of the fabric that ties this country together with some of the most passionate fans in hockey," said Deepak Chopra, Canada Post's president and chief executive officer, in announcing the stamp issue. "It is therefore an honor to celebrate the incredible legacy of this Original Six team through Canada Post's iconic stamp program."

Official First Day Covers of all three stamps are available as a set. Stamps and related collectibles are available online at canadapost.ca/leafs100 and will be on sale at post offices throughout Canada beginning Tuesday.
The silver logo domestic-rate stamp is available in a booklet of 10 for $8.50. A 50-stamp coil of the blue puck-shaped stamp is offered with a complementary puck-shaped dispenser. A fabric patch souvenir sheet comes in a collectible folder and sells for $5. Official First Day Covers of all three stamps are available as a set for $9.70.