New Leaf forward Dave Bolland brings Stanley Cup to west Toronto neighbourhood

TORONTO – Thousands of fans turned out today to see new Maple Leaf forward Dave Bolland parade the Stanley Cup through Toronto’s west end.

Bolland, who grew up in the Toronto neighbourhood of Mimico, brought the cup to a children’s hospital in London, Ont. earlier in the day before landing at a local hockey arena to greet fans.

Police estimated 3,000 people were in attendance. Fans wore both Chicago Blackhawks colours and Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys, and some screamed at Bolland to bring the cup back the “same time next year.”

Bolland joked that the Cup was a bit heavy as he repeatedly hoisted it over his head, saying that he hoped to bring the cup back to Toronto as a Leaf in the future.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was in attendance and said the day was great for the morale of Leaf fans.

Bolland, who scored the game winning goal for Chicago with just under a minute left in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, wore a blue T-shirt instead of a Leafs jersey while riding atop an antique fire truck as a bagpipe procession led the parade.