Alfredsson’s Maple Leafs Appointment Confirms the Battle of Ontario Was Never a True Rivalry

The lack of animosity likely stems from Alfredsson’s Swedish disposition—widely considered impossible to dislike—or simply the passage of time dulling old wounds. Regardless, his hiring as an associate coach by the Toronto Maple Leafs suggests collective amnesia has set in, or that the so-called “Battle of Ontario” was always more theater than genuine conflict.

Fans in Toronto might have reason to resent Alfredsson, yet they never developed that hatred because his teams consistently fell short against the Leafs. Conversely, Alfredsson harbors no ill will toward Toronto; as noted, that competitive fire simply isn’t in his nature. It is fitting that the faces of this supposed rivalry’s early era were Mats Sundin and Alfredsson—two gentlemen who, a quarter-century later, reveal the feud was largely a fabrication.

Watch the video column above for further analysis on what constitutes a true rivalry.

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