An artificial rink in Christie Pits Park has been renamed after Sid Smith, the eighth captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The name change happened after the city received an application for the change last year from a private citizen.

The rink was officially renamed in a public skating event on January 14 with Mike Layton (Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina), City of Toronto staff, and Toronto Maple Leafs alumni.

Smith was left-winger for the Leafs from 1946 to 1958 and team captain for the 1955-56 season. He lived in the neighbourhood and would often play pick up games of shinny in his free time with his neighbours.

Smith was born in Toronto in 1925. He had a prolific career in the Ontario Hockey League, American Hockey League, and National Hockey League before retiring to coach in the 1957-58 season. Smith died at the age of 78 in 2004.

Photos adorned the rink showing off some of Smith’s most memorable moments including his three Stanley Cup wins, his seven all-Star games, and multiple trophies recognizing his exemplary skill and sportsmanship.

One notable attendee was Leaf alumnus Dick Duff, a Hockey Hall of Famer and two-time Stanley Cup winner, who was on the team while Smith was captain.

—Geremy Bordonaro, Gleaner News

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NEWS: Celebrating a legendary Leaf (Jan. 2018)