THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS JERSEY HISTORY

1928-1934

The Toronto Maple Leafs were formed in 1927 but their first official home jersey was introduced in 1928. It was blue with a series of white horizontal stripes and a 47 point maple leaf as the crest. An earlier plain white jersey with the same Leaf crest preceeded this sweater.

1934-1958

The first major change came in 1934 and would last for over 30 years. The jersey had just two thin horizontal stripes on the arms and waist; the crest changed to a 35 point leaf in 1942.

1958-1967

In 1958, the white road jersey was altered when a solid blue yolking was added to the shoulder. The home jersey remained the same.

1967-1970

To celebrate the centennial year of Canada, the home and road jerseys had the crests replaced with a 11 point maple leaf, similar to the recently introduced official flag of Canada. This was done just prior to the 1967 playoffs.

1970-1992

In 1970, white became the home colour and the Leaf uniform was redesigned with the removal of the arm stripes and the yolk was extended from the neck to the wrist. A single solid stripe was used on the waist and minature leaves were added to the shoulders.

1992-1997

The 1992 jersey modifications provided a mixture of the old and new. The two thin stripes on the arms and waist were brought back with the old 35 point Leaf used on the shoulders. The solid vertical stripe from neck to wrist was removed while the crest remained unchanged.

1997-Present

The current Leaf jersey incorporates slight design modifications to make for a more 'uniform' uniform. The lettering style (or 'font') of the numbers and player names is now the same font as the lettering on the Leaf crest. An outline was also added to the edge of the numbers. The material of the jersey is now composed of a durable mesh allowing for improved breathability and, as a result, a more comfortable sweater for the players.

In 1998-99, in commemoration of the final National Hockey League season at the venerable Maple Leaf Gardens, a special jersey will be worn for five home games and five road games.

The jersey features a 35-point Leaf crest on the front and solid blue yolking along the shoulders. The crest was originally used by the hockey club from 1942 until the start of the 1967 playoffs. The new jersey also incorporates the six-eyelet lace and tie at the neck that was a feature of the Leaf uniform from 1958 to 1973. In addition, Tom Pedricks of Ryan & Deslauries designed a "Memories and Dreams" patch, which will be worn on the team's regular home and away jerseys as well as the commemorative sweater.