from Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun,

The first Air Canada Centre audience that the new Maple Leafs hockey department faced liked what they heard.

What they see on the ice in coming years might be a different story, but the 3,000 season ticket holders invited to ask questions on Thursday night were assured their half century of suffering was not in vain.

“Do not to be embarrassed to be Leaf fans,” club president Brendan Shanahan said as coach Mike Babcock and general manager Lou Lamoriello looked on from the stage. “Be proud and hold your head high. Some of the things in the past are going to be eradicated from this hockey club.”

The 45-minute exchange had a few barbs and a few laughs as the normally conservative and businesslike coach and GM exchanged some one liners with the audience.

“You can hear their passion,” Shanahan said. “They’re excited about the direction we’re taking, they’re very knowledgeable and they understand what we’re trying to do.”

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