(Media Release)
As part of the Toronto Maple Leafs Centennial Season celebrations, during the 2016-17 NHL season, the team created new banners to hang in Air Canada Centre to pay tribute to the players that have had their numbers retired. Beginning in the summer of 2016, and continuing into the first half of the 2017-18 season, the 18 original Air Canada Centre banners will be delivered to the towns that these players called home. On October 21, the banner of Wendel Clark will be delivered to Kelvington, Saskatchewan, with the official arrival taking place at the Kelvington Elevator on Railway Ave.
“One of our goals throughout our Centennial Season, in addition to celebrating the rich history of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was to share the excitement of this special season with fans far and wide and thank them for their support,” said Brendan Shanahan, President and Alternate Governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs. “This banner tour was, and continues to be an important part of Maple Leafs history, permanently putting the original ACC banners on display in the towns of our greatest players.”
“In 1993, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Leafs Alumni began the tradition of honouring former Leafs greats by raising their names and numbers to the rafters of Maple Leaf Gardens, until the team moved to Air Canada Centre, where the tradition continued,” said Peter Ing, President of the Leafs Alumni. “For years, hockey fans in Toronto have been able to enjoy these ceremonies and see the banners when they visit Air Canada Centre. It’s special to know that now, fans in the communities that produced those players will be able to see their banners as well.”
Chairwoman of the upcoming event, Lorelle Holowaty said, “We are excited for this opportunity to honor and celebrate the contributions, awareness and success that Wendel Clark has brought to the community of Kelvington. The event will celebrate the formal retirement of Wendel’s number 17. Our Wendel Clark Day Committee will be hosting a series of events for all ages, that will be both fun and respectful of the historical significance of this event.”
Wendel Clark joined the Maple Leafs in 1985, and set a Leafs rookie record for goal scoring that stood for 31 seasons. After three tours in Toronto, Clark had become the club’s all-time playoff goal scoring leader. Former Maple Leafs President Ken Dryden said "Game in, game out, year in, year out, he was just a kid cruising the ice looking to cause trouble - a wicked wrist shot for a goal, a crushing body check, a fight - opponents' bodies littered on the ice, fans
out of their seats, the place in an uproar, and Wendel, no expression on his face, looking around wondering what the commotion was about.” This past season, Clark was named to The One Hundred presented by Canadian Tire, a list of the 100 Greatest Maple Leafs of the team’s first 100 years, learned that he will be receiving a statue on Legends Row this fall.
Itinerary for the day will include:
• Official Banner Raising Ceremony at 2:30 p.m. @ Kelvington Elevator on Railway Ave (free for all ages)
• Autograph, Meet & Greet at 3 p.m. @ Kelvington Recreational Arena (free for all ages)
• Supper, Program, Live Auction & Dance starting at 5 p.m. @ Kelvington Recreational Centre (19+)
All proceeds will benefit the Kelvington Recreational Arena.
The one day ticket launch date will be held on Friday. Tickets can be picked up at the Kelvington Recreational Arena from 6PM - 8PM or online that day at www.brandingbarn.ca
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Event Chairwoman Lorelle Holowaty chats about the big day.
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