Leafs' Blake Wins Masterton Trophy

Jason Blake was diagnosed with leukemia just before the start of the regular season and quickly lost 10 pounds after starting to receive treatment.

He still didn't miss a game for the Toronto Maple Leafs all season.

That devotion and effort helped Blake win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Thursday as the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

"It's sad to say that you almost need something of this magnitude to make you realize how important each day is," said Blake. "I've been so lucky in life to play in the NHL, have three beautiful kids and be married to a wonderful woman. ...

"I get to play the game I love at the highest level and I get to continue doing it as long as some team wants me."

He edged out Detroit Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios and Edmonton Oilers forward Fernando for the award, which was voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

More at sportsnet.ca...

Leafs' Blake wins Masterton Trophy - Sportsnet.ca

Wilson Named Head Coach of Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Tuesday that Ron Wilson has been named the 27th head coach in the club’s history. Wilson previously held the NHL head coaching duties with Anaheim, Washington, and most recently San Jose for parts of the past five seasons.

More at the official Leafs site...

Toronto Maple Leafs - Press Releases: Wilson Named Head Coach of Maple Leafs - 06/10/2008

Leafs Sign Tim Stapleton

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Friday that the team has signed free agent centre Tim Stapleton.

Stapleton, 25, spent the past two seasons playing for Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League. In 2007-08, he recorded a team-high 29 goals and he was second-best in both assists (33) and points (62) while playing in 55 games for head coach Doug Shedden. This past season he placed fifth in Finnish Elite League scoring and second in goals.

Stapleton attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 2002 to 2006. In 162 collegiate games he scored 63 goals and added 89 assists for 152 points. As a freshman, he led the team in scoring with 42 points and he repeated the feat in his final collegiate season by earning 30 points. He led the team in goals in his third and fourth seasons in college.

Toronto Maple Leafs - Press Releases: Leafs Ink Tim Stapleton - 06/06/2008

Marlies Announce Dates For Western Conference Finals

The Toronto Marlies announced they will open their Western Conference Finals series of the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs in Chicago on Friday, May 16 at 8:30 p.m. against the Chicago Wolves at the Allstate Arena.

The rest of the game dates can be found on the Marlies official site:

Marlies Announce Dates For Western Conference Finals - The Official Site of the Toronto Marlies

Maple Leafs Fire Maurice

Paul Maurice was fired as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs after his team failed to make the playoffs during his two seasons.

Maurice, who has one year left on his contract, was informed of the decision Wednesday morning.

"You know the way the season ended up and the changes that are going to take place on the team," Maurice told The Canadian Press from his Toronto home. "So I was very aware that it was a possibility."

Assistant coach Randy Ladouceur also was fired. Assistant Dallas Eakins was offered a position elsewhere in the organization, while Keith Acton remains an assistant coach with the team.

Interim general manager Cliff Fletcher was to provide more details at an afternoon news conference at Air Canada Centre.

More at ESPN.com...

ESPN - Leafs, in three-year playoff drought, fire Maurice - NHL

Get Your Hockey Views on GTA Hockey

Now that we are heading into that dreaded hockey free season called summer, I thought I'd put a shout out to all the hockey fans in the GTA (or around the world) who might like to help out GTA Hockey.

If you've got some news (about your rec team/juniors/local hockey store having a sale etc), or you have a hockey viewpoint (perhaps about the final rounds of the Stanley Cup) then just let me know.... Drop me an email to rob at gtahockey dot com and you could end up having your news/views broadcast to the hockey world.

Jiri Tlusty Named AHL Player of Week

The American Hockey League announced today that Toronto Marlies left wing Jiri Tlusty has been named the Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Apr. 13, 2008. Tlusty recorded four goals and six assists for 10 points to go with a plus-6 rating in four games in the Marlies’ final tune-ups for the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs.

In his first game back with the Marlies after spending more than three months in the NHL with the parent Maple Leafs, Tlusty scored twice and added two assists in Toronto’s 8-3 win over Chicago on Wednesday night. On Friday in Hamilton, he netted the winning goal with 3:17 left in regulation and picked up an assist as the Marlies beat the Bulldogs, 3-2. Tlusty then had a goal and two assists in Saturday’s 6-2 win over Rochester, and finished the regular season with an assist in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Manitoba.

In recognition of his achievement, Tlusty will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Marlies home game.

More on the official Toronto Marlies site...

Tlusty Named AHL Player of Week - The Official Site of the Toronto Marlies