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WAXERS HONOURED TO TAKE
PART IN MAPLE LEAFS MEMORIES & DREAMS PARADE
The Toronto Maple Leafs were holding morning practice in the Gardens before the parade began and while the organizers were making sure things were going to happen when they did and tried to plan on preventing unwanted things from occuring, the Waxers got to sit and watch a Maple Leaf workout. The Maple Leaf Hockey Club had breakfast for the Waxers and if most of them had any foresight they gulped down plenty of that hot chocolate as it'd be somewhat chilly in a little while. There was a slight delay in getting things off and running as the temperatures were somewhat cooler than they had predicted and with the wind whistling through the tunnels created by the high-rise structures in the inner city it was downright cold for a while in the morning while things were being organized. While the delay might have raised some blood pressure levels amongst the organizers the Waxers took the time to take to the ice of Maple Leaf Gardens for a group photo and then subsequently at the Maple Leafs' players bench. Shortly after the current Maple Leafs and Maple Leafs Alumni departed and started the parade in convertibles the Waxers were moving. Not more than a few yards into the journey was the very proud and happy Ken Dryden, President of the Maple Leaf hockey club. Mr. Dryden wished the Waxers luck and graciously thanked all for coming out to help the Maple Leafs celebrate the event. The parade was long slow walk, there were numerous stoppages as the thousands and thousands of people, overflowing a few times almost into the path of the parade made for a sensible approach, go slow, but get there safely. The Waxers had a handsome banner that gave to observers a 10-second history lesson on the Markham hockey club. For the most part Kevin Tompkins and Bryan Lachapelle handled the task of carrying the banner in front of the Waxer entourage. The only time that changed was when Tompkins got a tad hungry and had to flag down a sidewalk vendor for a tube steak, much to everyone else's chagrin as Kevin had to fend off many teammates as he ate quickly while Ryan Bayliss filled-in for him up-front. After the parade moved onto Front Street the crowds were considerably more dense, and the crowd and parade were almost as one for a large portion of the walk from Yonge and Front to the Air Canada Centre. At the Air Canada Centre, there were Maple Leafs everywhere. A lot of Maple Leafs' alumni were on hand and many of the Waxers got to meet and chat with these hockey heroes and those who were interested also collected some autographs. All things said, it was without doubt a historic day, a day that all will remember and cherish. It can safely be said for all who were part of the Waxers entourage that everyone was glad to be a there and were proud to represent the Waxers.
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