Maple Leafs to raise Tim Horton banner in Cochrane

It’s going to be a banner evening in Cochrane Thursday night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are bringing the banner of Tim Horton to the town to put on display in the arena named after him, the Tim Horton’s Event Centre.

It’s part of the team’s 100th Anniversary celebrations, as the Maple Leafs are replacing player banners that hang inside the Air Canada Centre since it opened in 1999.  The old banners were taken down earlier this summer, and one by one are being brought to each player’s hometown.

Maple Leafs officials will be in town to present the banner in a ceremony at 7:30pm at the Tim Horton’s Event Centre, which is part of the first ever “Polar Bear Classic.”

“We’re very proud of the impact that Northern Ontario has had on the National Hockey League,” said Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis.

“So to have Leafs Nation and Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment include us in the celebrations of one of their greats…I think we’re more than happy and honoured to be part of it.”

Horton played 24 seasons in the NHL as a defenseman, winning four Stanley Cups with the Leafs in the 1960’s before stops in New York (Rangers), Pittsburgh and Buffalo.

He still holds the franchise record for most consecutive games played at 486.

Horton will be honoured in Toronto later this year with a statue in Legend’s Row.

The ceremony, as well as the Cochrane Crunch/Kingston Voyageurs game that night at 8pm are free to attend.

Tickets are available for the rest of the tournament matchups over the weekend.

Another note on the banners, no word as of yet when Timmins will see banner ceremonies for two local legends in Bill Barilko and Frank Mahovlich.

POLAR BEAR CLASSIC

The first ever “Polar Bear Classic” goes this Thursday, September 1st to Sunday.

It will feature five teams in all, including the host Crunch and Voyageurs of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).  Three other Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) teams round out the field in the Iroquois Falls Eskis, Kirkland Lake Gold Miners and the Espanola Express.

Politis gives full credit to Crunch owners Ryan and Katherine Leonard for hosting the round robin style tournament.

“They’ve been rolling right along over the past few years,” he said, “They’ve done a terrific job, not only fielding a competitive team, (a) top six (team) last year in the entire country, but every year, they’re continuing to build and grow.”

Politis says combining the tournament with the banner raising is an “extremely important and exciting opportunity for everybody, not only in Cochrane but the entire region to enjoy.”

Ryan, who is also the head coach and general manager of the team, says the four days will give scouts an early idea of what kind of talent is out there.

“Only a few (scouts) will be in actual attendance, but many have confirmed they will be glued to FastHockey,” he said, “(Also), this is an exciting time for coaches to see what the rosters are shaping up to be.”

The Eskis and the Express open the tournament at 5pm before the banner ceremony and Crunch game to round out Day 1 activities.

Friday and Saturday will each feature four games throughout the day, with Sunday being the semi-finals and championship games.

Thursday, Sept 1st

• Iroquois Falls vs Espanola (5pm)
• Banner Ceremony (7:30pm)
• Cochrane vs Kingston (8pm)

Friday, Sept 2nd

• Iroquois Falls vs Cochrane (10am)
• Kirkland Lake vs Kingston (12:30pm)
• Iroquois Falls vs Kirkland Lake (6pm)
• Cochrane vs Espanola (8:30pm)

Saturday, Sept 3rd

• Kingston vs Iroquois Falls (10am)
• Kirkland Lake vs Espanola (12:30pm)
• Cochrane vs Kirkland Lake (6pm)
• Kingston vs Espanola (8:30pm)

Sunday, Sept 4th

• Semi-Final 1 [1st vs 4th] (10am)
• Semi-Final 2 [2nd vs 3rd] (12pm)
• Championship (7pm)

A weekend pass for the four days is $35, and day passes are $15 for adults and $10 for kids 16 and under.  Tickets are available at the Crunch office at the front of the arena.