Some odds and ends from the unveiling of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies new practice facility in Etobicoke, Ont. on Tuesday, known as the Mastercard Centre for Hockey Excellence:
The four-rink pad (one ice surface is the wider international size) cost $40-million and was mostly financed by the City of Toronto and the local Lakeshore Lions club … One of the rinks has enough capacity for 4,000 fans … The Leafs spent $5-million to construct a top-drawer dressing room, weight room and medical area and will annually pay $600,000 in rent … Toronto general manager Brian Burke called it the 'Cadillac' of practice rinks in the NHL … The facility also will house the Hockey Hall of Fame's Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Hockey Resource Centre and Hockey Canada will operate its Ontario regional offices from the building. The late Seaman, who passed away in January at 86, was one of the founding owners of the Calgary Flames. The resource centre will accommodate the HHOF's research and archives … Both Burke and Leafs head coach Ron Wilson praised the play of newcomers Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson and Viktor Stalberg at the rookie tournament in Kitchener. But Burke was quick to add that because the three are each 23 years old, they were expected to dominate against younger players from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins. Burke was more impressed that speedy London Knights forward Nazem Kadri, who turns 19 on Oct. 6, was able to stand out. Wilson also stated that Kadri will receive plenty of action in the Leafs preseason schedule, so he gains NHL experience before returning to junior … The Leafs coach also was asked whether he expects plenty of fisticuffs during training camp, considering Burke has build a tougher roster over the summer. Wilson said he doesn't and that although he won't outlaw scraps during training camp he will discourage his players from dropping the gloves.