As one of the focal points in the largest city in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs are inextricably linked to the larger civic community and are celebrating the Black Excellence Game on Saturday, when they square off against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Toji Nola, a designer and illustrator from Toronto, designed a new logo that will be featured on t-shirts and off-ice apparel throughout Saturday’s game. The new logo features 13 root branches, which mirrors the Maple Leafs logo, with a triangle that commemorates the pillars of Black excellence.
Canadian singer Sacha will also perform during one of the intermissions.
“Black Excellence is about recognition – not just of the exceptional achievements of individuals within the community, but of the visibility and inspiration those achievements bring. The Toronto Maple Leafs are more than just a sports team – they’re an institution with a legacy that spans generations, bringing families and communities together as a source of pride and inspiration,” Nola said via the Maple Leafs.
“To collaborate with such a storied organization on a project that celebrates Black Excellence is an incredible honour. The Leafs’ involvement in this initiative shines a light on a community with its own rich heritage of excellence, amplifying the message of belonging, identity and pride in a way that resonates far beyond the game.”
Being a part of the larger Toronto community comes with the territory of starring for the Maple Leafs. Auston Matthews said he hadn’t seen the new logo, after returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off which concluded Thursday, but was very excited about the initiative.
“Obviously, a great thing that we do here is that we celebrate a lot of things, and that’s one of them. Definitely awesome,” Matthews said Saturday morning.
Mitch Marner also returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off, and it’s been a whirlwind 48 hours for the Maple Leafs’ resident stars, but they’re embracing the celebration and will take some time to absorb the logo and festivities ahead of Saturday’s contest.
“I haven’t been able to look at the logo yet, I know there’s a jersey over there, I haven’t been able to see the front of it. I’ll definitely take a look at it after. I know last year the jersey was awesome, it was really cool to be a part of that, and looking forward to it again,” Marner said.
The entire organization is celebrating Black excellence throughout the weekend, with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies set to host their own game against the Manitoba Moose on Sunday.
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