Canadian Forces Appreciation Weekend
Tonight’s game between the Raptors and Lakers will kick-off Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment’s “Canadian Forces Appreciation Weekend”.
This weekend MLSE will honor the thousands of men and women who proudly serve our country across the world.
Canadian Forces personnel from HMCS York, CFB Borden, 8 Wing Trenton, and Land Force Central Area will attend either a Raptors, Leafs, or Toronto Marlies game this weekend. Many of the 500+ Canadian Forces in attendance this weekend have recently served in Afghanistan.
Fans in attendance at Air Canada Centre tonight - or tomorrow for the Leafs-Senators game - are encouraged to sign a special banner that will be sent overseas to the Canadian troops still stationed in Afghanistan. The banner will be located at Gate 1 at the ACC. For folks attending the Marlies game this weekend … the banner will be located in Marlies Alley at Ricoh Coliseum.
Leafs, Raptors, and Marlies players, coaches, and management will also sign a special banner for the troops.
Fans interested in donating their game tickets to a member of the Canadian Forces or their families for February 1ST or 2ND (for the Raptors, Leafs, or Marlies games) can drop off their tickets at Gate Air Canada Centre … or you can courier your tickets to:
Tickets for Troops
c/o Air Canada Centre
40 Bay Street, Suite
400
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2X2
Hundreds of Leafs, Raptors and Marlies season seat holders have already donated tickets for Friday and Saturday’s games.
Season Seat Holders also have the option of donating their tickets online.
Fans can also donate tickets for OTHER Leafs, Raptors and Marlies games this season through MLSE’s “Tickets for Troops” program. Donated tickets will be given to the Canadian Forces for distribution.
Canada’s Chief of Defence, General Rick Hillier, will participate in a ceremonial puck drop along with members of Armed Forces, Navy and Air Forces at the Leafs and Marlies games. General Hillier will also deliver the game ball at tonight’s Raptors game.
Second Lieutenant Scott Newlands will sing tonight’s National Anthem … accompanied by a HMCS York Flag Party and the Central Band of the Canadian Forces.
E. Smith
ericsmithfan590@yahoo.com