TORONTO - A former Toronto Maple Leafs tough guy is heading a group that wants to bring a second NHL team to southern Ontario.

Kevin Maguire, who became a referee after his playing career ended, recently met with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly to talk about bringing a team to Vaughan, Ont., just north of Toronto.

"I truly believe getting an NHL team would be tremendous for the city of Vaughan, but the league has said that a second team in the Toronto area is not something that's on their radar screen right now," Maguire said in a news release.

"However, we wanted the NHL to know that if they ever change their mind, we think the city of Vaughan would be the best option and the proposed site the best location."

Maguire, 46, declined to identify the members of the group Thursday, saying the media attention in the wake of a Globe and Mail story about the meeting between Daly and several members of the group damaged its cause.

"At this time, we are not ready to release the names of the people," Maguire said, declining further comment.

Vaughan, which been trying to bring subway access to its community, had previously tried to secure the downtown soccer stadium that houses Toronto FC .

"Certainly getting an NHL team would be a massive shot in the arm for the city of Vaughan and a benefit for hockey fans across the (Greater Toronto Area)," Vaughan Mayor Linda Jackson said.

Daly tried not to get anyone's hopes up.

"While we did in fact meet with individuals interested in having another NHL team in the Toronto area, it is safe to say that there isn't any consideration being given to that prospect at this point in time," Daly said in an email.

"We have no interest in expanding, and we have no desire to relocate any existing franchises."

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=276180

We'd rather see an existing NHL team be moved up here, but it will likely never happen. It would look good on the Leafs though since they keep raising their ticket prices and giving less in their performance. Pathetic!

We'd rather see an existing NHL team be moved up here, but it will likely never happen. It would look good on the Leafs though since they keep raising their ticket prices and giving less in their performance. Pathetic!


I was surprised when I read that article Cathie, I thought the Leafs were 'god" up there?

I was surprised when I read that article Cathie, I thought the Leafs were 'god" up there?


LOL - I know, they are, but there's some rust on the golden gates!! We've now set our own record for not being in the playoffs....seems that's the best they can do anymore!!

I'll bet it's just more talk than anything, but it might be a good idea to light a fire under the Leafs - they might up their game a bit if they knew there was a threat of another team moving into the area.

they'd be better off adding a team in Hamilton

they'd be better off adding a team in Hamilton


Funny, I was going to say that too (Hamilton Tiger Cats ran thru my head). It would make for a great rivalry that's for sure. Then it might be move over Habs!!! ;)

I can't see why Hamilton couldn't support an NHL team just as much as Toronto. Plus, for those who can't easily make it to the games (Hamilton now is a good hour run in good traffic) it would be perfect.

It's a shame, they've raised the ticket prices the highest of any NHL team so that an average dad can't afford to take his son, let alone family to a hockey game anymore. Plus the hassle of downtown traffic, parking, etc. it's not feasible for ones in the 'burbs. Toronto is now spreading out like New York / Boston. Vaughan in much closer than Hamilton and already has enough attractions.

Those crazy canadiens don't need anymore hockey teams....i don't like montreal, i don't know about toronto..they gonna riot in the streets again if this happens?

I don't see why there couldn't be two teams in greater Toronto. Their are two teams in the Los Angeles region.(L.A. Kings, Anaheim Ducks) and three teams in the greater NYC region.(N.Y. Rangers, N.Y. Islanders, N.J. Devils). I think the Leafs could use a little competition. It might just motivate them to ice a decent team for a change!!

Those crazy canadiens don't need anymore hockey teams....i don't like montreal, i don't know about toronto..they gonna riot in the streets again if this happens?


Why would Montreal riot in the streets again because Toronto got a 2nd team?

Why would Montreal riot in the streets again because Toronto got a 2nd team?

They wouldn't. I said or meant, Montreal would riot in the streets if it was another team in Montreal. I don't know what Toronto will do about the news. I don't mind canadiens, but some of em in montreal started fires and fights over a hockey game in last year's playoffs. Marvo probably remembers it.

I don't see why there couldn't be two teams in greater Toronto. Their are two teams in the Los Angeles region.(L.A. Kings, Anaheim Ducks) and three teams in the greater NYC region.(N.Y. Rangers, N.Y. Islanders, N.J. Devils). I think the Leafs could use a little competition. It might just motivate them to ice a decent team for a change!!


You've got that right!!!

They wouldn't. I said or meant, Montreal would riot in the streets if it was another team in Montreal. I don't know what Toronto will do about the news. I don't mind canadiens, but some of em in montreal started fires and fights over a hockey game in last year's playoffs. Marvo probably remembers it.


They've done it several times - they're friggin' crazy in Quebec. Trust me, all the other cities who have NHL teams have never rioted or started fires like the French Canadians do.

and btw, we're known as Canadians, not Canadiens - unless you're speaking French.

I haven't been to Quebec since 1979 and never plan on returning there as long as I live.

And actually, Montreal used to have two teams, as they did in baseball.

They've done it several times - they're friggin' crazy in Quebec. Trust me, all the other cities who have NHL teams have never rioted or started fires like the French Canadians do.

and btw, we're known as Canadians, not Canadiens - unless you're speaking French.

I haven't been to Quebec since 1979 and never plan on returning there as long as I live.

And actually, Montreal used to have two teams, as they did in baseball.

That's pretty cool & interesting- thanks for sharing that.

And I didn't know it was mispelled like that lol...have you ever been to Edmonton or Calgary??

The riot in 2008 was actually part of the celebrations of Montreal winning game 7 of a series against the Boston Bruins. Sixteen Police cars were damaged in the riots which included fires and looting. This was nothing compared to the riot in 1955 which followed the suspension of star player Maurice "the rocket" Richard. By the way at one time Montreal did have two teams. The Montreal Maroons were supported by english speaking fans and the Canadiens were supported by french speaking fans.

The riot in 2008 was actually part of the celebrations of Montreal winning game 7 of a series against the Boston Bruins. Sixteen Police cars were damaged in the riots which included fires and looting. This was nothing compared to the riot in 1955 which followed the suspension of star player Maurice "the rocket" Richard. By the way at one time Montreal did have two teams. The Montreal Maroons were supported by english speaking fans and the Canadiens were supported by french speaking fans.

yeah i know- it's ridiculous though over a playoff series, they didn't even get to the cup lol

yeah i know- it's ridiculous though over a playoff series, they didn't even get to the cup lol
I know. I think it was just the first round.

I know. I think it was just the first round.

yeah...i mean i can definitely see excitement and cheering...but my god, fights and riots in the streets is out of bounds and uncalled for...it's not a pig sty- their should be some order to what they were doing that year but their wasn't.

^^ Now you know why the rest of Canada half hopes they WILL separate! ;)

Even when they held Expo 1967, Charles Dugal (sp) was to visit. We were there and I vividly remembering my mom wanting "to get out of the province" before any trouble started. It never did amount to anything then, but yeah, Montreal will riot at anything whether it's hockey or CFL football.

^^ Now you know why the rest of Canada half hopes they WILL separate! ;)

Even when they held Expo 1967, Charles Dugal (sp) was to visit. We were there and I vividly remembering my mom wanting "to get out of the province" before any trouble started. It never did amount to anything then, but yeah, Montreal will riot at anything whether it's hockey or CFL football.
i blame Axl Rose

i blame Axl Rose
:brent

i blame Axl Rose


Yeah, it all started with his leggings!!! :rofl:

I'm DONE WITH HOCKEY....

Hey Kyle, there's still room on the Canucks bandwagon!

Hey Kyle, there's still room on the Canucks bandwagon!

i'm just so upset right now man. i can't do this emotional **** anymore, supporting my teams.

i think i'm done being a sports fan. you invest all of these ****ing emotions and you lose anyway. i can't do it anymore.

Honestly, Hamilton, Winnipeg, and Quebec City deserve teams more.

I think that might not be a bad idea...but I still think Cleveland, Saskatoon, Halifax, Kansas City, Hamilton, Quebec, and Winnipeg should get teams first.

What about Nevada? or Utah?

As a resident of Southern Ontario and a Leafs fan since the 1970s, I can tell you flat out that I would love to see a second team in Toronto or in the general area but it will never happen as long as Gary Bettman is in charge in the NHL. Period. That's the way it is. The man is so anti-Canadian it's ridiculous. Just in the past couple of months alone, I offer you the following evidence:

1. The NHL Awards Show which this year is scheduled for June 18th has been moved from its usual Toronto location to that great HockeyTown of Las Vegas for 2009, 2010, and 2011, by which time I am certain there will be an NHL franchise there, either by relocation or expansion.

2. The Phoenix Coyotes (formerly the Winnipeg Jets until 1996) are financially in deep doo-doo and have been taken over by the league in order that they can hand out their payroll and other matters that are too complicated for me to understand. The NHL has thus far refused any attempts by any outside investors to buy and move the team, in particular Jim Balsillie, who keeps trying to place an NHL franchise in Hamilton but has been refused time and again by Bettman. But it has not ruled out the team moving to other greener pastures such as Vegas or Kansas City, Missouri. Canada is not an option.

3. A couple of months ago it was announced that the next NHL Winter Classic will be held in Fenway Park in Boston where the Bruins will act as hosts. No opponent has been named yet but one condition has already been made public and rather emphatically. No Canadian teams are allowed to take part!

4. On the ice, I have read where in the playoffs in series involving Canadian teams the officiating is heavily favored on the Yankee side, particularly in terms of the number of penalties that are handed out and the nature of the suspensions that have been called so far. That matter may be open to debate but it still seems like more salt in the wound for us.

All this on top of all the other indignities that Bettman and Co. have inflicted on the Canadian public since 1994. Now then, do you still believe that you will see another NHL team in Toronto (or Hamilton or Kitchener or Quebec or Winnipeg or anywhere) in the very near future? Not bloody likely, is it?

i don't know about all that, but here in OHIO they certainly won't air ANY of my Canucks games until they face an Eastern Conference team (which I am hoping for) - so I am going to root for the Caps until then.

...and no, I am never going to be rooting for the Blue Jackets no matter what happens.

Bettman takes the Canadian fans for granted.

Another example is Bettman letting NBC dictate when some of the playoff games are played. I hate, hate afternoon games. Should Game 1 of Was/Pit go to overtime, the rest of the game won't be shown because of the Kentucky Derby.

The good news is that from what I hear/read, some of the owners are not happy with how Bettman is handling the Phoenix situation.For the first time, Bettman's position could be in jeopardy in the future.

Bettman is an ass. And why the anti-Canuck sh*t anyway? We're basically nice guys. We invented the darn game afterall and have a huge - almost "religious" following in Canada. Yup - Vegas - known for a long time for it's hockey! :lol:

Actually, when I was in Dallas for Christmas back in 1988, it must have been before the Dallas Stars were around because they may have aired one hockey game the whole week I was there!!!

I'd really like to see Hamilton or as you mentioned, Kitchener would be very cool - or heck, even Wayne's hometown get a team.

If it had to be in the U.S., then yes, Ohio should get one - whether it's in Cleveland, Cinci or even Toledo.

Bettman is an ass. And why the anti-Canuck sh*t anyway? We're basically nice guys. We invented the darn game afterall and have a huge - almost "religious" following in Canada. Yup - Vegas - known for a long time for it's hockey! :lol:

Actually, when I was in Dallas for Christmas back in 1988, it must have been before the Dallas Stars were around because they may have aired one hockey game the whole week I was there!!!

I'd really like to see Hamilton or as you mentioned, Kitchener would be very cool - or heck, even Wayne's hometown get a team.

If it had to be in the U.S., then yes, Ohio should get one - whether it's in Cleveland, Cinci or even Toledo.
Cincinnati is NOT a hockey town - they love their Reds.

heck, the Dayton Bombers are shutting down for next season and might come back the year after that.

Las Vegas did do well with an IHL team for quite awhile - the Las Vegas Thunder - until they folded in '99.

Cincinnati is NOT a hockey town - they love their Reds. .
That's true....

Las Vegas did do well with an IHL team for quite awhile - the Las Vegas Thunder - until they folded in '99.

Really? Do you know why they folded? Do you think it would happen if they had been in the NHL?

I could be wrong about some of these, but, if I had to pick a few US cities that would make good homes for NHL franchises, I would probably consider the following:

1. Milwaukee
2. Seattle
3. Portland, Ore.
4. Indianapolis


Of course, there's about at least 8 Canadian cities that I'd place ahead of them!


About the 2nd possible Toronto team in the NHL. I heard a great exchange yesterday on TV between the president of the NHL Players' Association Paul Kelly, who may be the 2nd most powerful man in hockey after Gary Bettman, and ex-NHL player turned broadcaster Nick Kypreos. Kelly believes that having another team in Toronto would be, in his words, "A no-brainer!". To which Kypreos replied: "Does that mean that if Bettman won't consider the idea, then he has no brain?". :lol: So apparently there is hope....