ST. JOHN’S — The Maple Leafs are often a travelling band at this time of year. Pack up 70-odd players, put them on buses or planes, touch down in a smaller location, and get to know one another a little.



This year’s training camp was a little different, however. They travelled, but they travelled to a place where there are longstanding, deep roots to the franchise.



And they went to a place where GM Kyle Dubas has had a hand in bringing back their team in order to help his.



It really was amazing the past few days to see thousands of fans lineup for hours and hours to watch a camp scrimmage or get an autograph out in Paradise, N.L. Or to see the reaction when the Leafs alumni all piled into Green Sleeves Pub after their game on Sunday night to have a pint or six.



There were grown men on the verge crying as they got to mingle with Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark and their other hockey heroes up close.



This has always been Leafs...