A few days after the Maple Leafs lost to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of a 2024 first-round playoff series, a box arrived on the desk of Keith Pelley , the recently installed CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

Inside were sweaters bearing the names of Mats Sundin and Wendel Clark and Auston Matthews . There were scarves and hats and the like. Basically, someone had sent Pelley a closet full of well-worn Leafs apparel.

Inside was a letter. Pelley, during a Thursday speech to the Empire Club of Canada at the Royal York Hotel, pulled the piece of paper from his pocket and read from it.

“I’ve been a dedicated and passionate fan of the Maple Leafs for over 50 years,” Pelley read. “I’ve had enough. I’m sending you my memorabilia, as I can’t take it anymore. I’m done. I’m throu

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