new fan from Scotland.

[scottishguyintoronto]

Hello leafs nation!

My name is Paul, I was born and raised in Scotland and moved to Toronto last summer. I've always enjoyed hockey, but over in the UK it's been a hard sport to follow with poor coverage on late night etc.

On arriving in Toronto I was excited to get into following the leafs. After 8 months I'm absolutely hooked. I'm currently posting in my jersey waiting on tonights game. I was in a bar the last game and my mate from ireland turned to me and "we need to get another goal". This caused us both to laugh as we've both only been in Toronto since summer and we've started calling the leafs "WE".

I've become completely obsessed. I went out and bought a leafs callender to mark down ever game to make sure I don't miss any games.

I wanted to join up for the forum as although I've been here since summer, I don't have many Canadian friends. Most of my mates here are Scottish or Irish. It's annoying as very few of them have an interest in the hockey and those that do have limited knowledge like myself. The only real Canadian mate I have follows the oliers and boos the leafs everytime we take him to the bar!

Anyway, thought I'd say hello.

Not sure my budget will stretch to paying $160 for a seat at the ACC but I've seen the Marlies a few games. Who knows I might still treat myelf.  Any advice on places to watch the games? I've been watching at hurricanes on bloor which is a fun sport. I know of real sports and hoops bar.

Also any advice on learning the game would be appreciated.

[L K]

Welcome.  Congrats on the move and you made the right choice on hockey team. 

[OldTimeHockey]

Welcome to the Forum! I'm not from Toronto, but I'm sure there's quite a few here that can suggest a good place to watch the game.

The only places I've watched games while in TO for work was The Loose Moose on Front St. and Gretzky's on Blue Jay's Way

[Nik Bethune]

Howdy and welcome to the board and the perennial mixed blessing that is being a Leafs fan.

As for spots to watch the game I think Toronto's culture in that regard is a little bit different than the UK's. Our sports bars tend to be bigger, corporate kinds of places like Real Sports and Hoops and smaller places might have the game on TV but won't be full of die-hards. In that case it's more about finding an atmosphere/crowd/food you like and going from there. There are places like the Madison and Einstein if you're of a college age, places like Gretzky's or the Loose Moose if you want that downtown big sports bar kind of thing and I always liked Clinton's which is on Bloor, a couple blocks east from Hurricane's, if you're after a somewhat quieter "the game just happens to be on" kind of vibe.

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Welcome ScottishGuyInToronto,

I'm a fellow Scot, I am from Glasgow, moved out here to California about 4 years ago though.

Huge Leafs fan(even when I was back in Scotland) my father and I would have to watch the games at midnight Scottish time.

Welcome to this site, I came to the site over a decade ago and it has really made me feel closer to the team and made me a more knowledgable Leafs fan overall. You won't find a better place on the web for an exchange of ideas regarding the Leafs.

I hope you enjoy your stay.

(Celtic or Rangers?)

[nutman]

Welcome aboard .... Your in for a ride of a lifetime.

[Jalili]

That's awesome, you'll have a lot of fun watching hockey and cheering for the Leafs.

Everyone is opinionated when it comes to the Leafs. Canadians tend to either love or hate them.

[Heroic Shrimp]

Welcome to Canada, Toronto, and Leafs nation!  It always makes me happy to see people choose to bring their lives here.  While you don't have many Canadian friends yet, consider us your Canadian friends (not to disregard a few other nationalities represented here, too!)  You may not be a fan of the most successful hockey franchise, but you're now part of the most passionate fanbase, one that welcomes another enthusiastic voice.

[Zee]

A Leafs fan with a cool accent?  I approve.

[mc]

Welcome buddy! Glad you a leafs fan. But are you ready for a roller coaster ride? Might be too early for ya! just kidding!

[Bender]

I love the enthusiasm! Welcome aboard! Screw the Oilers!

[scottishguyintoronto]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.
Yeah regardless of any results I'm defo sure I've made the right choice with the leafs. It's strange how quickly it has stuck!

Would defo grab a beer sometime if there was ever a forum meet up for a game.

Anyway to answer Whatifgodwasaleaf:

I'm a Celtic supporter. Last time they won the big cup was in 1967. Sound familiar?

[Zee]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.
Yeah regardless of any results I'm defo sure I've made the right choice with the leafs. It's strange how quickly it has stuck!

Would defo grab a beer sometime if there was ever a forum meet up for a game.

Anyway to answer Whatifgodwasaleaf:

I'm a Celtic supporter. Last time they won the big cup was in 1967. Sound familiar?

1967 eh?  How much you suffer, don't think I could handle two sports with that long a drought.  LOL

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.
Yeah regardless of any results I'm defo sure I've made the right choice with the leafs. It's strange how quickly it has stuck!

Would defo grab a beer sometime if there was ever a forum meet up for a game.

Anyway to answer Whatifgodwasaleaf:

I'm a Celtic supporter. Last time they won the big cup was in 1967. Sound familiar?

Me too brother, had season tickets for Paradise for 25 years.

[Nik Bethune]

Nobody asked but I'm really pulling for Heart of Midlothian FC.