Monday, September 26, 2016

Toronto Maple Leafs - 2016/17 Season To Come



As the spectacle of the World Cup winds down, NHL training camp begins. Star players will return to their adopted towns and begin building a new season with their team. And for some teams, “building” is the key word.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a long and fabled history of hockey greatness. Because of this, it’s still a little bit shocking to think of them dragging along the rear of the NHL standings last season. But with experience, attitude changes, and additions, the Maple Leafs have a chance to build a powerhouse for years to come.

The Maple Leafs will be all about building that future in the upcoming season, and here’s a closer look at what they’ll focus on.

Babcock Gaining Ground

Mike Babcock doesn’t like losing. Last season, his first campaign with the Maple Leafs, was the first time he’s missed the playoffs since 2004. In all of his time with Detroit, he never missed a postseason. That level of coaching prowess is what Toronto’s management is banking on, and in his second season in Toronto, Babcock won’t disappoint.

The roster moves and draft decisions, along with the handling of current players, all point to classic Babcock strategy: build a team around raw talent, and watch the rest fall into place. As Babcock gains influence in his still somewhat new locker room, you’ll see skilled players rise to a level that you wouldn’t have expected.

Kadri Stepping Up

Nazem Kadri will now enter his 7th season with the Maple Leafs, carrying a 6-year, $27 million contract with him. Along with that contract comes the expectation that he will play as he did last year, but with added leadership responsibilities. Mike Babcock and Toronto’s management expect Kadri to step into his role in the locker room as someone the younger guys can look up to, a player the entire team can rally around.

With 45 points on a losing club last season, and 28 of those points from assists, you can bet Kadri will find a way to produce no matter this season’s circumstances. And if he goes all in on Babcock’s system while leading the fresh faces in the locker room, he’ll be able to pull his team from last year’s quagmire.

Matthews Showing Off

And of course, to round it all out, there is the 1st overall pick from the 2016 draft: Auston Matthews. Toronto had the joy of watching him get 2 goals during the World Cup, which was a decent, hopeful start for such a touted young player.

All of the fanfare of a first overall pick comes with Matthews into training camp. Of course no one can predict exactly what will happen with the young star. But barring any injuries, he could set an exciting tone for Toronto’s future. Gossip and predictions around the internet will even tell you that Matthews will make Jack Eichel look tame.

And for Toronto, those predictions sound as sweet as can be.

The culmination of these factors, along with a few others, lead to a season that the Maple Leafs will be proud of. 2016-2017 may not see the Leafs in the playoffs - but who knows, it could happen - but fans will see a renewed vigor, a definite improvement from last year. For Toronto, this season is about laying a strong foundation that creates championships in the future.

Martina McBride Tickets - Casino Rama

 TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE



Country Superstar Martina McBride Returns To The Great Indoors
December concerts added to the Casino Rama Resort 2016 event line-up

RAMA, ON (Monday, September 12th, 2016) – Country superstar Martina McBride returns to the Great Indoors this December in a highly-anticipated concert performance that also marks the end of another successful event season at Casino Rama Resort. Fans of the Great Indoors were treated to over 120 concerts this past year with the most sold-out shows in the Entertainment Centre’s history, including performances by Russell Peters, The Hollywood Vampires, Jason Derulo, Dallas Smith, Bill Burr, Steve Martin & Martin Short, Santana, Alice Cooper, Burton Cummings, Don Henley and more.

The final additions to the 2016 Casino Rama Resort concert line-up include performances by:

4 stars from the original cast of Jersey Boys
Thursday, December 1
SHOWTIME: 8 PM, DOORS OPEN: 7 PM
Friday, December 2
SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM
Tickets are $30/$40/$55
The 4 stars from the original cast of the Broadway smash Jersey Boys have blended iconic rock ‘n roll hits of the 1960’s with the all-time greatest Holiday classics adding their trademark sound to the mix. Favorites such as “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts),”“Baby, Please Come Home,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “California Dreamin” and “All I Want For Christmas Is You” will be performed with the group’s dynamic choreography, electrifying rock ‘n roll arrangements, and of course, signature four-part harmony.
The Midtown Men is not a performance of and not affiliated with the show Jersey Boys.

Martina McBride
Love Unleashed Tour
Saturday, December 3
SHOWTIME: 8 PM, DOORS OPEN: 7 PM
Tickets are $45/$55/$70
This multiple Grammy® nominee has sold over 18 million albums to date, which includes 20 Top 10 singles and six #1 songs.  Her hits include "Reckless”, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”, “This One’s for the Girls” and “In My Daughter’s Eyes”.

Fans are invited to visit the Casino Rama Resort Facebook page to gain access to an exclusive pre-sale code, along with a chance to beat the box office to win a pair of tickets to one of these newly announced shows.

Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Wednesday, September 21st at 12 noon and will be available in-person at the Casino Rama Resort Box Office, at all TicketMaster locations, by calling toll free 1-877-599-RAMA (7262) and online at www.casinorama.com. Ticket prices do not include applicable taxes or service charges.

IN-PERSON PRE-SALE PER SHOW LIMIT:  Patrons may only purchase up to four (4) shows per transaction during the Casino Rama Resort Players Passport in-person pre-sale on Sunday. Please adhere to published show limits.  Orders exceeding the show limit will not be processed.  Purchasers are welcome to complete additional purchases but must re-enter the line to do so.

Patrons must be nineteen (19) years of age or older with government issued photo identification to attend concerts & events.  Those who have been trespassed and/or self-excluded from Casino Rama Resort or any OLG property and/or fail to meet Casino Rama Resort’s conditions of entry may not visit, participate in promotions and/or redeem offers.

Celebrating 20 successful years, Casino Rama Resort is Ontario's only First Nations commercial casino and has earned a reputation for presenting exclusive world-class sporting, entertainment & television events. The Casino offers a complete entertainment experience with over 2,500 slot machines, more than 110 gaming tables, 8 unique restaurants, a world-class 5,000 seat Entertainment Centre, and a 300-room all-suite, full-service hotel, featuring spa and health club facilities.  Through the Casino Rama Cares program we are dedicated to continuing our rich history of community support by being an outstanding corporate neighbour; providing year-round assistance through a combination of charitable giving and employee volunteerism.  Casino Rama Resort is operated by Penn National Gaming, Inc.
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For media requiring high resolution, colour photos of these artists, please visit the Media Gallery section in the Press Centre on the Casino Rama Resort web site. Login is required; please contact Jenna Hunter to obtain.

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