The Toronto Maple Leafs retain the largest NHL fanbase in Sweden. Every year, hundreds make the pilgrimage to Toronto to see the Hockey Hall of Fame and watch the Buds. The reason isn’t just because the 416 is the ‘Mecca of Hockey.’ It’s not even all to do with Mats Sundin. No, the connection between the Blue and White and the Scandinavian nation goes back much further - to 1973, and scout Gerry McNamara. We’ll talk to McNamara about his scouting trips to Sweden, and how the two players he found there - Borje Salming and Inge Hammarstrom - changed the NHL and Maple Leafs hockey in particular, creating a connection that abides and continues to grow.