Today the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings announced a small portion of their respective rosters for the Alumni Games, that will take place as part of the 2013 Winter Classic. Oh boy are they something to get excited about!

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One of the best things about being a fan of an Original Six team is the history and mythology of the franchise. The Alumni Game will give us a chance to see some of the greatest players for each franchise over different eras on the same sheet of ice.

Here are the rosters so far as announced:

Leafs:

Up Front:

Darryl Sittler, Rick Vaive, Wendel Clark, Doug Gilmour, Dave Andreychuk, Darcy Tucker, Kevin Maguire.

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I have no idea who Kevin Maguire is.

In Goal:

Mike Palmateer, Felix Potvin, and Curtis Joseph. Legends Johnny Bower, Ron Ellis, and Jim McKenny will also be there.

For the Wings:

Chris Osgood (lol), Mike Vernon, “Hall of Famer” Dino Ciccarelli, Alex Delvecchio, Ted Lindsay, Darren Mccarty, Kris Drap, Chris Chelios, Luc Robitaille, Larry Murphy (BOOOOO), Mark Howe.

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Seeing Dougie, Wendel, and Andreychuk, and Potvin on the ice together is a dream come true. As I write this I’m looking at a photo of my 12 year old self meeting Doug Gilmour and a framed signed photo of Gilmour with Domi after the last game at Maple Leafs Gardens. This event is going to be historic, and it’s going to be awesome.

Obviously some significant names were left off the list. I hope/expect names like Sundin, and Salming to be added in the future. I wonder if the Leafs could bring Keon back, that would make the event that much more special.

For now the names listed are enough to make me hope my name is drawn to have a shot at buying some astronomically expensive tickets. But it’s a small price to pay to see my childhood heroes reunited.

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Who are you most excited to see?



