REUTERS-- Second time's the charm?  Maple Leafs General Manager Ron Dubin hopes so after today's Boxing Day press conference to announce the bid to host the annual MRFHL All Star Game.

 

"Last year, we came second in the bidding to host this prestigious game after being out-bid and out-financed by an impressive Tampa Bay Lightning," GM Dubin said to approximately 10,000 fans in a packed Dundas Square.  "But this year, just as your Leafs have on the ice, we will be successful.  The city of Toronto and the Maple Leafs organization officially submit their bid to host the MRFHL All Star Game in 2014."

 

Details of the festivities could not be heard over the voracious cheering of the crowd after the initial announcement.  Toronto-based iconic Canadian bands The Tragically Hip and Billy Talent then played small free sets for the thousands in attendance, giving the whole experience a music festival feel.  Free beverages and hot dogs were also supplied to the hockey-mad fans who decided to brave the cold temperatures and avoid the Boxing Day lineups at the Eaton Centre Mall across the street.

 

 

The team website had details of the festivities that would surround what is now being called 'The Ultimate Fan Expierence'.  Announced was a seven day festival including a legends tournament, daily rock concerts and fan interaction.  Loblaws is also hosting a Signature Player's series, hosted at its stores around the GTA. The itinerary is as follows:

 

Day 1:

-The Blackberry Legends Hockey Game: Toronto Legends vs. World Legends - Maple Leaf Gardens

-Loblaw's Signature Players - Mats Sundin, Marian Hossa, Daniel Paille and Mathieu Garon

-Bell Shark Tank Dunk Tank - Former Maple Leaf GM and current Penguin GM Brandon Bennett will be the city's guest for the dunk tank.  The Shark Tank is brought to you by Acme Products. - Nathan Phillips Square

-MuchMusic Free Nightly Concert Series hosted by Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole - featuring Drake, K-os and Classified [Newly confirmed special guest: Kanye West]- Dundas Square

 

Day 2:

-The Blackberry Legends Hockey Game: Canadian Legends vs. American Legends - Maple Leaf Gardens

-Loblaw's Signature Players - Bobby Orr, Francois Beauchemin, Tom Pyatt, and Brett Connolly

-Free Yoga all day - Hosted by Mayor Rob Ford - Nathan Phillips Square

-MuchMusic Free Nightly Concert Series hosted by Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole - featuring Rush, Neil Young and Trooper - Dundas Square

 

Day 3:

-The Blackberry Legends Hockey Game: Toronto Legends vs. Russian Legends - Maple Leaf Gardens

-Loblaw's Signature Players - Don Cherry, Braden Holtby, Curtis Glencross and Matt Stajan

-Funeral for Rob Ford sponsored by Chevrolet - Odds are, he's not making it through the yoga session - St. Michaels Cathedral

-Shots! by Jose Cuervo - Fans get their chance to take shots on legendary goaltender Curtis Joseph- Nathan Phillips Square

-MuchMusic Free Nightly Concert Series hosted by Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole - featuring Shania Twain, Gord Bamford and Johnny Reid- Dundas Square

 

Day 4:

-The Blackberry Legends Hockey Game: Canadian Legends vs. World Legends - Maple Leaf Gardens

-Loblaw's Signature Players - Felix Potvin, Corey Perry, Patrick Dwyer and Brian Strait

-Molson Beer Drinking Contest starring Bob & Doug McKenzie - Nathan Phillips Square

-TSN Presents Toronto Argonauts vs. Toronto Raptors - Charity Hockey game with all the proceeds going towards the Steven Valente School for Sports Team Management- Ricoh Coliseum

-MuchMusic Free Nightly Concert Series hosted by Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole - featuring The Arcade Fire, The Sheepdogs and The Trews - Dundas Square

 

Day 5:

-The Blackberry Legends Hockey Game: Toronto Legends vs. American Legends - Maple Leaf Gardens

-Loblaw's Signature Players - Doug Gilmour, Andrej Meszaros, Derek Roy and Eric Brewer

-WWE Presents the MRFHL Mascot Battle Royale - Your favourite WWE Stars and MRFHL Mascots duel it out for ring supremacy.  Hosted by Donald Brashear and Marty McSorely - Ricoh Coliseum

-Apple Pie Eating Contest hosted by Kyle Wellwood - Starring the starting rosters of both MRFHL All-Star Teams - Nathan Phillips Square

-MuchMusic Free Nightly Concert Series hosted by Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole - featuring Deadmau5, Champion and Dragonette - Dundas Square

 

Day 6:

-The Blackberry Legends Hockey Game: Canadian Legends vs. Russian Legends - Maple Leaf Gardens

-Loblaw's Signature Players - Darryl Sittler, Dale Weise, Milan Hejduk and Chris Pronger

-Xbox One Dance Off - Featuring Calgary Flames GM Derek Loftus, Ottawa Senators GM Anthony Bottoni, Dallas Stars GM Mark O'Byrne and Toronto Maple Leafs GM Ron Dubin - Nathan Phillips Square

-MuchMusic Free Nightly Concert Series hosted by Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole - featuring Nickelback, Avril Lavinge and Carly Rae Jepsen - Dundas Square

 

Day 7:

-MRFHL All-Star Game - Air Canada Centre

-Mock Stanley Cup Parade with winning All-Star Team - Yonge Street