1945/46

Check out this beauty. One of my annual "self-purchased" Christmas presents from this year. Fantastic artwork of Ted "Teeder" Kennedy for a game against the Black Hawks on December 1, 1945. Lineup page below shows Maple Leaf Gaye Stewart with 13 goals already in the campaign, Toronto had played 13 games to that point in the season. Stewart would finish the 50 game schedule with 37 goals to lead the league, the last Maple Leaf to do so.

To this point in the season, Toronto had a record of 3-9-1 while Chicago was 6-4-1. The Leafs would finish 5th and out of the playoffs for the season while the Hawks placed 3rd, only to be swept by Montreal in the Semi-finals.

There is a great spread in the program of some of the various events that Maple Leaf Gardens had hosted in 1945, including a show featuring Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger.

A few pages are devoted to the Leafs "Victory Dinner" celebrating the Cup win of 1944/45. A golf tournament was held on the day, showcasing various current and old-time Maple Leafs.

This page shows players receiving various gifts for winning the Championship as well as the Cup itself in it's old "stovepipe" variation. At centre-right below is a rare shot of Captain Syl Apps sporting a moustache. 

Finally, a cool advertisement for Odex Soap featuring some nice artwork. Apparently the entire squad washed wish Odex after every game, and for 6 cents a bar, how could they not!?