Maple Leafs to give away free tickets to fans

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be giving away free tickets as a thank you to fans, the organization announced Thursday.

The team will give all Maple Leafs season seat holders a free ticket to the home opener on Jan. 21 against the Buffalo Sabres. Also, through a variety of promotions leading up to that game, the Leafs will giveaway an additional 1,000 free tickets to non-season seat holders and everyone attending the home opener will receive a commemorative scarf.

Over the next several days, the Leafs’ Blue and White Crew will visit various locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area and randomly awarding tickets for the home opener to proud members of Leafs Nation. Details of where Blue and White Crew will be will be available on the Maple Leafs official website, Twitter and Facebook page.

The Leafs, along with the 29 other NHL franchises, have been making an effort to give back to the fans following the NHL lockout that didn’t come to a resolution until day 113.

“We’re excited to be back on the ice and believe our fans deserve a very special thank you for the time we were away,” Maple Leafs new general manager David Nonis said in a press release. “Giving back a game to the fans is the right thing to do and we can’t wait to see Air Canada Centre full of our passionate fans on Monday night.”

On Thursday the Leafs held an open practice, free to any fan that wished to attend. Several thousand Leafs fans showed up to the Air Canada Centre to watch their team skate.

“Leafs Nation has the greatest fans in the world,” Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment President and C.O.O. Tom Anselmi said. “These initiatives are designed to thank as many fans as possible for their patience and loyalty and to welcome them back in style.”

On Feb. 23, the team will invite fans to ACC for a free road game viewing party as the team visits the Ottawa Senators, which will include a complimentary meal (choice of hot dog or pizza, popcorn and pop), prizes, giveaways and autograph sessions with Leafs alumni

“By hosting a road game viewing party, it is another way for as many fans as possible to see a game at Air Canada Centre,” Anselmi added.

The Leafs open the season Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.

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