Air Canada Pilot Shares a Special Message with Maple Leafs Fans Upon Landing in Toronto
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
An Air Canada pilot surprised passengers with a Maple Leafs nod on the flight back from Milan, sparking laughs from Colby Armstrong and fans alike.
William Nylander, Nico Hischier, and a host of media members are among those who made the trip, highlighting the NHL’s growing effort to expand its cultural reach.
The tour is designed to bridge the gap between sporting cultures ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where NHL players will return to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014. It’s a significant moment for hockey, and Italy is trying to ramp up the hype as best they can.
On the return trip to Toronto, though, an unexpected highlight emerged. Eliotte Friedman shared that as the Air Canada flight wrapped up, the pilot made a lighthearted announcement acknowledging the sheer number of people traveling home from Milan in support of the NHL.
It was obvious the crew had hockey on their minds and probably the Maple Leafs, too. Sportsnet’s own Colby Armstrong couldn’t help but crack up at the unusual comment from the pilot, sharing a hilarious reaction online, poking fun at Maple Leafs super fan Paul Bissonnette.
With Toronto serving as the hub of hockey’s largest fan base, it wasn’t surprising, but it was still memorable. For Leafs fans, the moment could even be taken as a good omen heading into one of the most pivotal seasons in recent memory.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
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Air Canada Pilot Shares a Special Message with Maple Leafs Fans Upon Landing in Toronto
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