My Dad was a life long Leafs fan but he despised Ballard. For whatever reason they both left this earth on April 11, 1990. Not sure if Harold was going up or down but there would have been some interesting conversation if by chance he made it to the Perley Gates
"How does a guy like Harold Ballard, you know, remain in power for so long" "Well, you see he had bought ownership of the team, and didn't decide to sell it"
I'm a lifelong Leafs fan .....over 50 years! I remember well enough the mismanagement Harold inflicted upon the team. My dad was involved in the annual Toronto Maple Leafs calendar for Mcdonald Tobacco Ltd. He was a straight shooter, and he hated Harold. He'd always say that he was an *** hole!! It's such a shame that he ran the team into the ground, and it's taken decades to recover from. He turned generations of Torontonians into fans of other teams. I used to hate seeing hordes of people sitting in the seats cheering for Chicago, Boston, Montreal, and others. Thank God he's gone!!!
I remember those years from the 80’s. It was hard watching those Leaf teams. Harold would always be sitting in his bunker with King Clancy at MLG. Rick Vaive was my favourite player during that time and Wayne Gretzky of course. Lol
Jason Priestley punched out Harvey Weinstein. Just wanted to throw that out there lol A very interesting topic for a documentary I'll definitely check it out.
As a young kid watching HNIC on Sat nights I remember the media and guests always blaming Ballard for interfering with decesions which prevented the Leafs from obtaining players, signing players. They didn't have a chance to win during that era. So many ppl were mad. There was alot of negativity around him. In todays game where there's even more money involved I would find it hard to believe that stake holders don't interfer with decesions. Its the nature of the beast when you have ownership of something. Some owners are just more worse then others. Now the current leaf team are playing with enormous amount of pressure on them because of the history and not winning since 67. I think its going to take a special group of players and a really good sports psychologist to help in this unique situation here.
This was on of the better hockey documentaries I have seen in some time. One of the funnier moments was when someone observed that there were many Junior teams that had more front office/support/scouting staff then the Leafs during Ballard's reign. The Dark Ages for the Leafs team. His legacy, the Worst hockey team owner in history.
Unfortunately, my Leafs fandom started when Harold Ballard owned the team. I have VERY mixed feelings about watching this documentary for fear of triggering PTSD (spoiler alert: I will watch it). Ballard made it a misery to support this team. Yes, the NHL was full of awful owners during that time, but Ballard was singularly bad. Hard not to feel bitter about the man and the relief as a fan I felt when he was finally gone.
Born and raised in the GTA and my fandom started when Ballard was owner as well. The stories about him are endless and very few are positive. As a fan it was a great day when he was gone.
Mr. Ballard reminds me of a lot of bosses I've worked for....immature boys and girls who never grew up. They find value in being bullies because underneath the surface of them, there's nothing else there.
Anyone remember the story about Ballard saying if a European? or Russian? player ever played in the NHL he would give the team back to the city? I think the Hamilton Tigercats were involved somehow.
I have been a leaf fan my entire life. I was 22 in 1990, I am 54 now. That means that Harold Ballard has been dead 32 years. At some point in those 32 years, responsibility has to shift out of the past into the present.
How he held on to power? what an idiotic question. He was the owner of the team and controlled the majority if not all the shares! money talks and bull walks. It was his sole team and he was the boss who was not a good hockey manager period. Ballard knew how to make money as that was the sole reason he was into the team.
The period between 2004 to today is worse than the Ballard era in terms of performance. At least Ballard's teams made it past the first round from time to time
That was a 21 team League so only five teams missed the playoffs. The Norris Division was the weakest in the NHL so it was common for teams to knock each other out.
Funny how Ballard was in power for 18 years never won a cup, never tried but still managed to win several play off series here and there...leafs haven't won one In the last 19 years and they say Ballard was bad...I'd take Ballard over the sweetheart dubas anyday...at least those teams have heart all the team has now is a bunch of overpaid sissy mary s who turtle as soon as the going gets tough every playoff series. But the media will tell u cup window and nonsense about a different feel in the locker room. But the truth is Ballard's teams had a better chance to win then this one, and he wasn't even trying to win...sad sad state of affairs.
@Ricky Martin Ballard was owner/GM/president/ceo...it's not like pencil pushers Gord stelleck and gerry macnamara made any decisions without Ballard's approval and most of their decisions was Ballard telling them what to do ie courtnall for kordic
@tonyc8752 yeah but when u get in you still have to win a series this horrible ownership called mlse is only interested in ripping off its fan base they have one 1 series in 20 years with players about as tough as girl scouts. At least Ballard's team fought hard. I stopped watching this year knowing MLSE will never bring a cup to toronto they are hockey ignorant and make ballard look like a genius.
SIDE NOTE: Really want to see this, JP is a good guy and heart on his sleeve Canadian. 🇨🇦
My Dad was a life long Leafs fan but he despised Ballard. For whatever reason they both left this earth on April 11, 1990. Not sure if Harold was going up or down but there would have been some interesting conversation if by chance he made it to the Perley Gates
"How does a guy like Harold Ballard, you know, remain in power for so long"
"Well, you see he had bought ownership of the team, and didn't decide to sell it"
As a huge Gord Stellick fan I can’t wait to see this. I was a kid when all this was going on, but I remember hearing about it a lot in Buffalo. 💙
I was an adult which made it worse.
I'm a lifelong Leafs fan .....over 50 years! I remember well enough the mismanagement Harold inflicted upon the team. My dad was involved in the annual Toronto Maple Leafs calendar for Mcdonald Tobacco Ltd. He was a straight shooter, and he hated Harold. He'd always say that he was an *** hole!! It's such a shame that he ran the team into the ground, and it's taken decades to recover from. He turned generations of Torontonians into fans of other teams. I used to hate seeing hordes of people sitting in the seats cheering for Chicago, Boston, Montreal, and others. Thank God he's gone!!!
As someone who has disliked the Leafs for over 55 years, I say: God Bless Harold Ballard! 🤣
@@rickymartin875 Ballard > dubas
@@hollywoodhh5646 lol
@@rickymartin875 Theee worst sports franchise EVER. I love seeing kids cry after every loss.
I remember those years from the 80’s. It was hard watching those Leaf teams. Harold would always be sitting in his bunker with King Clancy at MLG. Rick Vaive was my favourite player during that time and Wayne Gretzky of course. Lol
Jason Priestley punched out Harvey Weinstein. Just wanted to throw that out there lol A very interesting topic for a documentary I'll definitely check it out.
HAPPY 54TH BIRTHDAY JASON PRIESTLEY !!!
As a young kid watching HNIC on Sat nights I remember the media and guests always blaming Ballard for interfering with decesions which prevented the Leafs from obtaining players, signing players. They didn't have a chance to win during that era. So many ppl were mad. There was alot of negativity around him. In todays game where there's even more money involved I would find it hard to believe that stake holders don't interfer with decesions. Its the nature of the beast when you have ownership of something. Some owners are just more worse then others. Now the current leaf team are playing with enormous amount of pressure on them because of the history and not winning since 67. I think its going to take a special group of players and a really good sports psychologist to help in this unique situation here.
"More worse" lmao 🤣 😂
This was on of the better hockey documentaries I have seen in some time. One of the funnier moments was when someone observed that there were many Junior teams that had more front office/support/scouting staff then the Leafs during Ballard's reign. The Dark Ages for the Leafs team. His legacy, the Worst hockey team owner in history.
Where can I see it my friend?
Unfortunately, my Leafs fandom started when Harold Ballard owned the team. I have VERY mixed feelings about watching this documentary for fear of triggering PTSD (spoiler alert: I will watch it). Ballard made it a misery to support this team. Yes, the NHL was full of awful owners during that time, but Ballard was singularly bad. Hard not to feel bitter about the man and the relief as a fan I felt when he was finally gone.
Born and raised in the GTA and my fandom started when Ballard was owner as well. The stories about him are endless and very few are positive. As a fan it was a great day when he was gone.
He is the reason the Leafs haven’t won a cup since 67. If any other person were in charge on the rate the Leafs were on would have had at least 1 or 2
Yes, from '67-'68 to '89-'90, 23 seasons.
What about the past 31 seasons?
@@MrMaxtaurus Patrick Roy would have stoned the Leafs.
@@MrMaxtaurusyes.
Mr. Ballard reminds me of a lot of bosses I've worked for....immature boys and girls who never grew up. They find value in being bullies because underneath the surface of them, there's nothing else there.
I delivered The Toronto Star to Ballard. Never got a Christmas tip.
That's funny ...not even a stock tip . Did you ever talk to ' the man himself ? Did he drive an Austin mini or a VW beetle ? Save on gas $ eh ?
April 11, 1990. One of the best days in Leafs history. The day that POS finally died and went to hell.
in spite of Ballard we had some great teams in the 70’s
Will this be available in the states? Would love to see this
It's online on CBC, you might need to VPN, but it's there
My pal Hal is a great read as well .
An owner can do what he wants and this guy was a crazy owner.
did jason talk to any of harolds friends? like mike the ticket guy
At a owners meeting in the 70s Ed Schneider walked into the room and Ballard shouted “ start the ovens , Schneider here”
It's Snyder
Just saw the film. Clearly, it could have been a miniseries...
Viewer Discretuon Is Revised!
Anyone remember the story about Ballard saying if a European? or Russian? player ever played in the NHL he would give the team back to the city? I think the Hamilton Tigercats were involved somehow.
On crave it’s French speaking, is there a English version
Love Jason Priestley.
I have been a leaf fan my entire life. I was 22 in 1990, I am 54 now. That means that Harold Ballard has been dead 32 years. At some point in those 32 years, responsibility has to shift out of the past into the present.
He never heard of George Steinbrenner?
He was the reason i never became a Leafs fan. He just ran the leafs into the ground. It was impossible to be a leafs fan during his ownership.
How he held on to power? what an idiotic question. He was the owner of the team and controlled the majority if not all the shares! money talks and bull walks. It was his sole team and he was the boss who was not a good hockey manager period. Ballard knew how to make money as that was the sole reason he was into the team.
Ballard is Dan Snyder on steroids
I know Jason played Junior, bu where. New Westminster? Ballard quite a story. He trashed Darrel Sittler, and a few others,
Lmfao! It's the curse of tge leafs.
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Because it's being shown on CBC I won't watch it.
The period between 2004 to today is worse than the Ballard era in terms of performance. At least Ballard's teams made it past the first round from time to time
That was a 21 team League so only five teams missed the playoffs. The Norris Division was the weakest in the NHL so it was common for teams to knock each other out.
@@murray1978 Weak sauce excuse
Murray is correct. You are just an ignoramus that doesn’t know the basics of hockey history
Funny how Ballard was in power for 18 years never won a cup, never tried but still managed to win several play off series here and there...leafs haven't won one In the last 19 years and they say Ballard was bad...I'd take Ballard over the sweetheart dubas anyday...at least those teams have heart all the team has now is a bunch of overpaid sissy mary s who turtle as soon as the going gets tough every playoff series. But the media will tell u cup window and nonsense about a different feel in the locker room. But the truth is Ballard's teams had a better chance to win then this one, and he wasn't even trying to win...sad sad state of affairs.
Ballard was the owner. Dubas is just an idiot manager.
@Ricky Martin Ballard was owner/GM/president/ceo...it's not like pencil pushers Gord stelleck and gerry macnamara made any decisions without Ballard's approval and most of their decisions was Ballard telling them what to do ie courtnall for kordic
80 % of the teams made the playoffs in Ballards day. A playoff win here and there was inevitable for every NHL club
@tonyc8752 yeah but when u get in you still have to win a series this horrible ownership called mlse is only interested in ripping off its fan base they have one 1 series in 20 years with players about as tough as girl scouts. At least Ballard's team fought hard. I stopped watching this year knowing MLSE will never bring a cup to toronto they are hockey ignorant and make ballard look like a genius.
WOKENET
It’s owned by Rogers, Canadas far left media, wokeness is what they’re all about
Define "woke".
@@gordieparenteau6555 judging by your picture I would say you
@@Oldmanflyfishing that's the head crusher!