The Toronto Maple Leafs has released a limited-edition apparel in celebration of Black Maple Leafs alumni ahead of NHL All-Star weekend.
The team collaborated with Too Black Guys and Mitchell & Ness to create the capsule collection.
In a media release on Tuesday, Maple Leafs owner MLSE says the “No Apologies” collection is specifically inspired by eight Black former players and their journey towards a career in professional hockey.
“This collaboration is emblematic of our efforts as an organization to honour and celebrate the contributions of the Black community in hockey and the city as a whole,” Toronto Maple Leafs Director, Culture and Inclusion Mark Fraser said in a statement.
“We are proud to work alongside Too Black Guys to bring fans a new and unique way to wear their Toronto Maple Leafs pride while celebrating the Black experience in a city that is a proven incubator of more Black NHL players than anywhere else in the world,” he continued.
Founded in Toronto in 1990, Too Black Guys is a streetwear brand that takes inspiration from early 90’s hip hop and notable historic moments. Its goal and purpose is to represent the Black experience in an unapologetic way.
That is why the collection is demonstrating the importance of being heard and honoured by celebrating the contributions of these Black Maple Leafs alumni:
- First African American NHL player Val James
- First Black player to win a Stanley Cup and to be an NHL All-Star MVP Grant Fuhr
- Maple Leafs alumnus John Craighead
- Maple Leafs and Wild alumnus Robert Earl
- Stanley Cup winner Jamal Mayers
- First NHL player born in the Bahamas Andre Deveaux
- Director of Culture and Inclusion for the Toronto Maple Leafs Mark Fraser
- Second Black NHL All-Star MVP Wayne Simmonds
Each item in the collection is made with Mitchell & Ness quality, and features an all black colourway combined with Maple Leafs iconography across the five pieces.
The collection is set to make its debut in-store at the Mitchell & Ness Pop-Up organized by Real Sports Apparel at Throne Barbershop (612 Richmond St. W) this NHL All-Star weekend from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3. A limited quantity of the collection will also be available online at shop.realsports.ca.
The pop-up is available for a limited-time only and will also provide interactive and immersive experiences for fans including DJ sets, themed activations and more.
Twenty per cent of the proceeds from each purchase from the collection will go towards the Against All Odds Black Aces, a hockey program dedicated to the training and development of marginalized youth.
