from Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun,

“Centre of the Hockey Universe.”

Whenever that description is used in reference to Toronto, the protests immediately begin to come pouring in from every nook and cranny of Canada. And rightly so.

Montrealers pound on their chests with pride when pointing out the Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cups, more than any other franchise.

Those in the Prairies boast about how the Canadian heartland is where the sport’s true pulse exists at the grass roots level.

Edmonton has been known as the City of Champions for several decades and has been the professional hockey home for some of the sport’s greatest players, including the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and, now, Connor McDavid.

These are just a few of the examples. All legitimate arguments.

But this upcoming weekend, as both the National Hockey League and the Maple Leafs franchise usher in their 100th anniversary festivities with the New Year’s Day Centennial Classic between the Leafs and Detroit Red Wings in the frosty outdoor elements of BMO Field, Toronto will, at least on this occasion, come by that phrase honestly.

Don’t take our word for it though. It’s NHL commissioner Gary Bettman who feels that way.

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