The Toronto Maple Leafs logo stands as one of the most recognized symbols in professional hockey. The blue maple leaf has been the team’s emblem since 1927, which makes it older than the identity of most NHL franchises today.
This emblem sits alongside other Original Six team marks as a piece of hockey history that fans treat almost like a religious symbol. The current version was unveiled on February 2, 2016, and first appeared on the ice in the 2016-17 season, though the basic maple leaf idea goes back nearly a century.
Toronto’s franchise itself dates to 1917, when it played as the Toronto Hockey Club and then the Arenas, before becoming the St. Patricks in 1919. Conn Smythe renamed it the Maple Leafs in 1927. The logo has been redrawn many times since, some changes dramatic and others subtle enough to need a magnifying glass.
What is the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo?
The Toronto Maple Leafs logo is a blue maple leaf with “TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS” in white across its center. Conn Smythe adopted the leaf in 1927, and the current 31-point version was unveiled on February 2, 2016. It is based on the 1940s to 1960s leaf, and no individual designer has been publicly credited.
| Symbol | A maple leaf, based on the badge worn by Canadian soldiers in World War I |
| Designer/agency | Not publicly credited; the 2016 version is based on earlier Leafs logos |
| Current version since | February 2, 2016 (primary logo from 2016-17) |
| Colors (hex) | Blue approx. #00205B, white #FFFFFF (widely cited values) |
| Typeface | Custom lettering with the word TORONTO arched; no typeface name published |
| Previous major version | The 1970-2016 leaf with 35 points and a bolder wordmark |
How Has the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo Evolved Over Time?
The Leafs have kept the maple leaf since 1927, with redraws in 1938-39, 1963, 1967, 1970, and 2016. The earlier names had their own marks.
Toronto Arenas and St. Patricks Era (1917-1927)
The Toronto Arenas used a large “T” with the word ARENAS around it, as shown in the team’s own history graphic. The St. Patricks, from 1919, wore green and used a green “St Pats” logo.
Conn Smythe bought the team in 1927 and renamed it the Maple Leafs. He tied the name to his service as a Canadian Army officer in World War I and called the leaf a “badge of courage.” The first game as the Leafs was on February 17, 1927, in white sweaters with a green leaf.
Original Maple Leafs Logo (1927-1938)
The leaf went from green to blue in 1927-28. On September 27, 1927, the team announced blue and white. Smythe said blue stood for Canadian skies and white for snow.
The logo from 1927-28 to 1937-38 was a blue maple leaf with the team name inside in white, in a rounder, simpler shape.
Pointed Leaf Era (1938-1967)
A more detailed leaf with sharper edges arrived in 1938-39 and lasted until 1962. It lasted longer than any other logo in the team’s history, and many older fans picture this leaf. From 1963 to 1967 a version with an outline was used, which is the closest relative of the 2016 mark.
Centennial Leaf Logo (1967-1970)
For Canada’s centennial in 1967, the team adopted the 11-point leaf of the Canadian flag, with the team name in white. It first appeared on jerseys during the 1967 playoffs, when the Leafs won the Stanley Cup, their most recent win.
Old Maple Leafs Logo (1970-2016)
The 1970 redraw had sharper edges and a bolder, cleaner wordmark, and the leaf had 35 points and 18 veins. It was used for 46 years through the Wendel Clark and Mats Sundin eras and through the Maple Leaf Gardens era and the move to Scotiabank Arena in 1999.
This is the old Toronto Maple Leafs logo most current adult fans grew up with.
Current Toronto Maple Leafs Logo (2016-Present)
The current logo was unveiled on February 2, 2016, ahead of the team’s centennial season. It is based on the classic leaf worn from the 1940s to the 1960s. The outline from the 1963-67 version was removed, the font was modernized, and the blue was darkened to match the shade used since 1987.
The arched “TORONTO” wordmark returns, last seen in 1970. Team president Brendan Shanahan said the club wanted to get back to its roots.
What Do the Design Elements of the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo Mean?
The maple leaf connects to Canadian national identity. It appears on the country’s flag and countless government symbols.
For the Leafs specifically, Smythe based it on the badge worn by Canadian soldiers in World War I, and wanted players to wear it with “honour, pride and courage.”
What Are the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo Colors?
The Leafs use two colors, blue and white. The widely cited blue is about #00205B, and white is #FFFFFF. These are not figures from an official brand guide.
Smythe said blue represented Canadian skies and white represented snow. White also provides contrast and cleanliness. The two-color palette keeps things simple, with no complicated color combinations to manage.
I could not confirm official RGB, CMYK, or Pantone values for the blue, so none are listed here. Early reports in 1927 even said red and white before blue and white was announced, and the team wore green as the St. Patricks.
What Typography Style Is Used in the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo?
The Leafs wordmark is custom lettering, and no typeface name has been published. It is a bold sans-serif style, not a serif font, with the word TORONTO arched along the top of the leaf.
Fan-made “Maple Leafs font” files are look-alikes, and the jersey names and numbers are a separate block style. The 2016 redraw modernized the font, and the typography keeps the arched “TORONTO” that was last seen in 1970. Check the font against the team’s own marks if you need an exact match.
What Are the Hidden Meanings in the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo?
The current leaf carries numbers that the team has explained.
- 31 points: a nod to 1931, when Maple Leaf Gardens opened. The old leaf had 35.
- 17 veins: represent 1917, the year the franchise was founded.
- 13 veins at the top: commemorate the club’s 13 Stanley Cup championships.
Seattle joining the league did not change the point count, because the 31 has nothing to do with the number of NHL teams.
How Does the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo Compare to Competitor Logos?
Among NHL team emblems, the Leafs logo stands out for its simplicity. No mascot illustration and no elaborate crest, just a maple leaf.
This approach mirrors other Original Six franchises. The Detroit Red Wings use a simple winged wheel. The Montreal Canadiens rely on their iconic “CH” monogram.
Newer expansion teams tend toward more complex designs. The Vegas Golden Knights have an elaborate helmet crest, and the Seattle Kraken feature a tentacle “S.”
Canadian rivals like the Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks all use more illustrative approaches. Toronto remains the purist.
What Cultural Impact Has the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo Had?
The Leafs logo transcends hockey in Canada. It appears on clothing worn by people who’ve never watched a game.
The logo carries complicated emotional weight. For Toronto fans, it represents both loyalty and decades of frustration since the last championship in 1967.
The 13 Stanley Cups in the franchise’s history are now written into the 2016 logo itself. The leaf’s minimalist design keeps it readable on everything from jerseys to hoodies.
How Does the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo Fit Into the Overall Brand Identity?
The logo anchors everything Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment does with the Leafs brand. Jersey designs, arena signage, digital presence, and merchandise all start with that maple leaf.
The Leafs have played at Scotiabank Arena, formerly the Air Canada Centre, since February 1999. The brand guidelines are not public, but the leaf, blue, and white repeat everywhere.
The Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate, adopted a version of the new leaf with their historic crown added. That kind of unity ties the farm team to the parent club.
How Should the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo Be Used?
This is general advice, not team rules. The Leafs logo is a trademark, and commercial use needs a license from the team’s owner.
Fan art and personal use sit in a gray area that teams generally tolerate for non-commercial purposes. Selling merchandise with the leaf is not okay without permission. Don’t stretch or recolor the logo, and use clean vector graphics from a legitimate source instead of a low-quality JPEG.
FAQ on The Toronto Maple Leafs Logo
When Was the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo First Created?
The first Maple Leafs logo appeared in 1927, when Conn Smythe renamed the Toronto St. Patricks and changed the emblem to a maple leaf.
Who Designed the Current Toronto Maple Leafs Logo?
No designer has been publicly credited. The 2016 logo was unveiled by the team and is based on the leaf worn from the 1940s to the 1960s.
What Do the Blue and White Colors Represent?
Conn Smythe said blue represented Canadian skies and white represented snow. The team announced blue and white on September 27, 1927.
What Is the Old Toronto Maple Leafs Logo?
The old logo is the 1970-2016 leaf, a 35-point leaf with 18 veins and a bolder wordmark. Before it, a centennial 11-point leaf was used from 1967 to 1970.
What Does the Maple Leaf Symbol Mean?
The leaf is based on the badge worn by Canadian soldiers in World War I, including Smythe. He wanted players to wear it with “honour, pride and courage.”
Why Does the Current Logo Have 31 Points?
The 31 points are a nod to 1931, when Maple Leaf Gardens opened. The 17 veins represent 1917, the year the franchise was founded.
What Do the 13 Veins at the Top Mean?
They commemorate the club’s 13 Stanley Cup championships, the most recent in 1967.
What Font Does the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo Use?
No typeface name has been published. The wordmark is custom lettering in a bold sans-serif style, with TORONTO arched along the top. It has typography elements that were modernized in 2016.
How Does the Leafs Logo Compare to Other Original Six Logos?
Toronto’s approach is cleaner than most. The Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins use more detailed marks, and the Leafs share their simple look with Detroit’s winged wheel and Montreal’s CH.
Can I Use the Toronto Maple Leafs Logo for Personal Projects?
Commercial use requires a license, and personal fan art is generally tolerated if it is non-commercial. Selling merchandise without permission can lead to legal action.
Conclusion
The Toronto Maple Leafs logo carries nearly a century of hockey heritage within its blue and white form. It’s more than a sports emblem.
From Conn Smythe’s military tribute in 1927 to the 31-point leaf unveiled in 2016, this symbol has witnessed Stanley Cup triumphs and decades of Leafs Nation heartbreak.
While other NHL franchises chase trendy aesthetics, Toronto sticks with what works: a maple leaf, Canadian identity, and blue and white on the jersey.
Sources
- MLSE, New Maple Leaf logo inspired by classic badge worn from the 1940’s to 1960’s – https://www.mlse.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-unveil-new-logo-as-team-prepares-to-celebrate-centennial-season
- SportsLogos.net, Maple Leafs unveil new logo for 2016-17 – https://news.sportslogos.net/?p=24533
- The Hockey News, Maple Leafs officially unveil new primary logo, Marlies also get new look – https://thehockeynews.com/news/maple-leafs-officially-unveil-new-primary-logo-marlies-also-get-new-look
- Wikipedia, Toronto Maple Leafs – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Maple_Leafs
- Team Color Codes, Toronto Maple Leafs Color Codes – https://teamcolorcodes.com/toronto-maple-leafs-color-codes/
Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.
His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.
He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
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Bogdan Sandu is a seasoned designer who has been designing websites since 2008. Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients. His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8. He also wrote in the past years on sites like Design Your Way, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Designmodo, Speckyboy, Slider Revolution, and more.
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