Lord Stanley takes a liking to Canada, Toronto and the Leafs

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No one wants to see the long-suffering Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup — or any other Canadian team for that matter — worse than the man whose family name is on the trophy.

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Perhaps Lord Edward Stanley’s purchase of a Leafs sweater during his first ever visit this month to see the trophy donated by his great-great-great grandfather might break the local side’s 57-year curse — which is the longest in NHL history.

“I thought it was important to ask for a Toronto jersey while I was there,” Stanley told the Sun, joking he got the Hall’s staff discount because the Cup is its centrepiece attraction. “I wouldn’t say I support the Leafs more than any other. Given the way the connection has come about for our family, I feel a natural affinity for Canadian teams to win it and, being British, (cheering for the) underdogs.

“Toronto is now the team I have the most affinity for, though sadly, they haven’t won in a while.”

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The 26-year-old noted no Canadian team has raised it in his lifetime, the most recent being the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. But knowing he’d be travelling here in August made watching the seven-game comeback of Edmonton in the June championship versus Florida quite riveting.

“I liked the Oilers being in the final. For their first three games I was a little depressed, but amazed to see it go on so long. I don’t really follow hockey that closely, which is now one of my ambitions, hence me wanting to come here.”

Stanley was surprised to learn none of his ancestors, including Lord Stanley of Preston when he was Governor General, ever witnessed an NHL playoff match in person.

“That’s on my bucket list, to see the final game,” he vowed.

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Asked if he’d like to present the trophy to the winners some day, Edward diplomatically deferred.

“It would be cool, though from what I’m told, the same people present it every year (commissioner Gary Bettman). But I’d love to watch it.”

Stanley and partner Victoria Jooris were moved on their Hall tour when curator Kevin Shea showed them the original bowl and the present Cup and explained how many Canadian kids play the game with a dream of winning his trophy.

They also saw the Isobel Cup, named for Lord Stanley’s daughter, who played with other pioneering women in Ottawa while the family was here. Until the PWHL’s creation, that Cup went to the Canadian playoff champions.

“I was really happy to see that in the female section as I’d heard she was a big driver in Frederik giving the Stanley Cup,” Edward said.

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While in the Hall neighbourhood, Edward and Victoria sampled peameal bacon sandwiches at St. Lawrence Market and dined high atop the city at Canoe in the Toronto Dominion Centre.

“A great view … there’s something very peaceful about having a city right on the waterfront. I spend a lot of time in London and every direction you look, there’s another tall building.

“Seeing the Cup was the main reason I came, but we really enjoyed Toronto. We drove around to Niagara Falls, in a big American-style pickup truck to fulfill another part of my dream. I was amazed to see so many vineyards on the way. Lake Ontario is very beautiful, I didn’t realize how large it was.”

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X: @sunhornby

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