Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 2.24

www.afootinthecrease.com

May of this year will mark the 40th anniversary of the last time the Maple Leafs hoisted the Stanley Cup and last night, the surviving members of that championship team were honoured prior to the game. Adding to the significance was the return of Dave Keon, who made his first appearance at Air Canada Centre and first appearance at a Maple Leaf sanctioned event apart from an old timers game in the early ‘90’s since his departure from the Maple Leafs in the mid 70’s.

Much was made about Keon’s decision to relent on his standoff and finally return to the team that he great success with. Keon received a warm standing ovation and seemed to enjoy being a part of this event with his former teammates; however, after hearing him interviewed several times, I certainly did not get the impression we will see Keon lurking about the event level of ACC the way we see Johnny Bower, Darryl Sittler and so many other great Leaf alumni doing on a consistent basis. Said Keon after the ceremony, ''This is one night, one weekend, let's just leave it at that.''

There were many people around the league who poked fun at this reunion as a celebration of futility. Not surprisingly the loudest chirps came from Ottawa, a rapidly improving skill in that town. Anyone making fun of an event like this is merely jealous of the rich history and passion that we as Leaf fans hold. Our team transcends generations of families. Many young people today feel they knew guys like Bower and Sittler and Kennedy and Baun despite never seeing them play by the stories they’ve heard from their Dads. I know I feel that way. Very few teams have this ability and it’s a special feeling. Forty years of futility, I think not. It was a celebration to give a group of great champions the recognition they deserve. Hey Ottawa, when you win a Stanley Cup, sorry how about a couple of playoff series, you can come talk to me about futility. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.