Toronto Maple Leafs reveal new warm-up jerseys ahead of Indigenous Celebration game
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be sporting special new jerseys on Saturday night.
Tyler Tabobondung Rushnell, a 23-year-old Anishinaabe artist, designed the practice jerseys for the Leafs to wear ahead of their game against the Detroit Red Wings.
“I took inspiration from my culture, the Ojibwe people and the Anishinaabe,” Rushnell said in a video shared by the Maple Leafs.
Rushnell, a Beaver Clan from Wasauksing First Nations in Parry Sound, practices Woodlands-style art. His redesigned jerseys feature a shoulder patch of a thunderbird and a Tkaronto Maple Leafs logo.
“Thunderbird represents strength and being able to talk to the creator in a good way,” Rushnell said.
The worn warm-up jerseys will be up for auction through Real Sports Auction, with all of the proceeds being donated to the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre. Fans can also buy the limited-edition collection at Real Sports Apparel where 20 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to the same Indigenous-run cultural centre.
Outside of the new jerseys, the Indigenous Celebration game will also have live music, dance performances, and some Indigenous fusion cuisine like bison poutine and smoked maple sage drumsticks.
The Leafs also shared a video of Kalley Armstrong ahead of Saturday night’s game, granddaughter of the late team captain George Armstrong, who passed away at 90 in 2021.
In the video, Kalley talks about George Armstrong’s legacy and his impact on the Indigenous community while sporting her grandfather’s jersey.
“Well, it’s amazing to be in the community. I mean, it’s amazing for First Nations people. It’s amazing for me, as a First Nations person, to represent my grandfather and his Indigenous background,” Kalley said.
“I think just to be here with the community and play hockey, and all be together as one, I just think it’s extremely powerful.”
The Toronto Maple Leafs will hit the ice to take on the Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena at 7 p.m. EST.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.