A battle is brewing over the name of an iconic downtown hockey rink and whether its new owner can keep using the name.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment filed a court injunction against Ryerson University and building co-owner Loblaw Properties in a bid to prevent the university from naming its new sports complex Maple Leaf Gardens.
Ryerson is currently converting the Maple Leaf Gardens, at the corner of College and Church Streets, into a home for its own team.
The arena is being retrofitted to house and NHL-sized hockey arena, an athletic centre and a basketball court, as well as a Loblaw grocery store on the ground level. Loblaw Properties purchased the building in 2004 and partnered with Ryerson five years later.
The NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs played there from 1931 until 1999, at which time they moved to the Air Canada Centre, a massive arena owned by MLSE.
According to the Globe and Mail, MLSE is asking an Ontario court to stop Ryerson from using the iconic name in connection with the facility when it opens later this year.
In court filings, MLSE said it is worried the 2,500 seat venue will compete with the Air Canada Centre for money-making concerts and other events, and that retaining the name Maple Leafs Gardens is trademark infringement.
However, acting Ryerson president Julia Hanigsberg told CTV.ca that the university has been more focused on getting the building ready for students and not so much on its name.
"To us, it's the Ryerson University Athletic and Recreation Centre," she said.
Hanigsberg said she believes a speedy resolution can be reached with MLSE and that she believes the corporation is willing to sit down with the university.
She said she also understands that the name carries a storied history.
"There's a huge emotional attachment for Torontonians and people across the country [to the name]," she said. "Ultimately, people will call it what they will call it."
MLSE has not yet returned calls from CTV.ca seeking comment.
