After several years of coaching and playing the game, and many more than that spent as a Leaf fan, I have finally got some time to pursue my other passion, writing about the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alec has allowed me the privilege of becoming a regular blogger on this site and I hope to provide an entertaining, passionate read on our favourite subject. Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Mark Ribble and I hail originally from Leamington, Ontario, having grown up on the marshes of Point Pelee National Park, fishing in the summer and skating in the winter. I now live near Windsor, Ontario, but still work in Leamington.
My first Leaf memories were of Ron Ellis and Norm Ullman and my all-time Leaf favourite, Dave Keon taking on the likes of Yvon Cournoyer and the Habs, Bobby Hull and the Hawks, all during the mid-to-late 1960s. You get the picture, I’m old.
Actually, I don’t feel old, I just am. Haven’t quite reached the big 5-0 yet, but I’m getting there. I still lace up the skates once or twice a week and take to the ice and can’t imagine ever not playing hockey.
My brother Pat was one of the fortunate few Canadian hockey playing boys to fulfill his dream of playing in the NHL, from 1976 through 1983. I was only 15 when he made “the show”, and I recall it being somewhat surreal, having my brother playing in the NHL while I was going to highschool. I’ve met many players of the past and have had a few experiences visiting the cities my brother played in, many of which I can’t repeat here.
My goal here is to fulfill my dream to write, spew, educate, argue and vent about the Leafs in an easy-to-read, entertaining fashion. I hope you find my work informative, intuitive and to the point. Thanks for taking the time to let me introduce myself.
