Emotional Tribute for Long-Time Maple Leafs Veteran Retiring After 1,500 Games

As the Toronto Maple Leafs not only closed out their homestand but also the 2024-25 regular season, they did so with a comeback 4-3 victory in OT thanks to the heroics of Scott Laughton, in a huge positive heading into the playoffs as Toronto looks to head into a tough Battle of Ontario.

But with the end of the regular season, the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to finish the year off with a very loving tribute to one of those who has been there through the highs and lows of the team.

In addition to handing Equipment Manager Tom Blatchford the game winning belt a few days ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to pay a heartfelt tribute to their retiring staff member who has been with the team since the late 2000s.

Post-game, the players took time to talk about Blatchford and his importance not only to their careers but the team as a whole.

Blatchford has been with the Maple Leafs organization for the last 20 years, and it was a great way to send him off with a 4-3 comeback OT victory against Detroit on Thursday.

Blatchford originally started out as Equipment Manager for the Belfast Giants in the British Ice Hockey Super League (a now defunct pro hockey league out of the United Kingdom).

After a small hiatus he ended up being hired by the Toronto Marlies during the 2005-06 season.
After three years with the Marlies, he was brought up to work with the Maple Leafs in 2008-09 and has been an Assistant Equipment Manager ever since.

Finishing his career this year with the Maple Leafs, Blatchford was one of the biggest key pieces of the team even if he's not on the ice. Making sure equipment was properly prepared, as well as hundreds of on the fly decisions during games, his role on the team was indispensable.

But now it's time for someone else to take the torch from Blatchford and make sure the Maple Leafs are well-prepared heading into each game, but his time with the team will no doubt be remembered forever.