Global Courant 2023-05-05 06:55:00
A father and daughter troll the Toronto Maple Leafs by coming to games in their opponents’ jerseys.
“This all started many moons ago… way back in Maple Leaf Gardens,” Ervil Di Giusto told CTV News while wearing a Florida Panthers jersey. “I grew up a Habs fan all the time.”
The season ticket holder grew up in Montreal cheering on the Canadiens, the Leafs’ longtime rivals. When Di Giusto moved to Toronto, he couldn’t take it upon himself to choose the home team.
“I went to every hockey game, because I love hockey, but the fact is I’m in Toronto, so I watch Toronto, but they’re not very good,” said the ticket broker. “So I decided to wear the visitors shirt every game.”
The Maple Leafs are currently in a second round of the playoffs for the first time in 19 years. They last won the Stanley Cup 56 years ago, in 1967. The Florida Panthers lead the series 2-0.
Di Giusto’s daughter often stands next to her father in a matching sweater.
“I think it’s very special,” she said. “It’s been a really great bonding with my dad.”
They’ve been noticed on social media and unfortunately had some bad reactions, like when someone threw a beer at them during an April game against Montreal.
“I just felt something in my back,” Di Giusto’s daughter recalls. “I turned around and there was a beer between us. So we turned around and there were a lot of fans behind you. You never know who did it.”
Di Giusto probably spent a small fortune cheering on everyone but the Leafs. He still hopes they make it to the next round of the playoffs so he can dust off his New Jersey or Carolina jerseys. He says he has a jersey for every team in the league, including Toronto.
“I got one as a gift, but I’ve never worn it,” he said. “But it’s in my closet.”
If the Leafs go on to win the Stanley Cup, Di Giusto says he might stay home for the festivities.
“We’re not going to the parade though, because I don’t think we’d be welcome,” he said with a laugh.
Online, some people have called him the ultimate Toronto troll.
“I’m just a hockey fan,” Di Giusto claimed. “I like hockey and now I’ve become a troll.”
