I grew up in Toronto during the era of the original 6 team league and watched many of the greats of hockey history play in Maple Leaf Gardens. I knew every player in the league and could probably have recognized them on the street if they walked by me.

The Gardens are gone - only a facade of the original building remains. The Leafs haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967. I have a lot of nostalgia for that time when hockey seemed much more personal for me.

The current crop of NHLers is probably faster, stronger and more highly skilled than my heroes of the past, but I feel there are too many teams and player trades move them around too often for me to create an emotional connection.

I do admit that if the Maple Leafs ever appear to be real contenders for the Stanley Cup, I might start watching again. That’s the curse of being a Leaf fan - hope never dies, but frustration and disappointment keep returning.