Maple Leafs host Indigenous Celebration game, sport custom warmup jerseys

The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted their Indigenous Celebration game at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.

The Maple Leafs wore custom warm up jerseys designed by Indigenous artist Tyler Tabobondung Rushnell before their game against the Detroit Red Wings.
Rushnell was inspired by his Ojibwe and Anishinaabe culture when designing the Maple Leafs crest and thunderbird patch on the shoulder of the jerseys.

"Thunderbird represents strength and being able to talk to the creator in a good way," Rushnell said in a video posted by the Maple Leafs on Twitter.

Prior to the game, the Maple Leafs were gifted beaded medallions created by six Ojibwe women and elders from the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Indian Reserve.
The blue and white medallions of the Maple Leafs logo featured each player's number at the top of the leaf.