The town says over 900 people attended the practice, including students from Muskoka Falls Public School, Bracebridge Public School and Monsignor Michael O’Leary Catholic School, as well as players from South Muskoka Minor Hockey and St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School hockey team.

The arena was filled with high energy as students cheered on their favourite players, waving signs and enjoying the rare opportunity to see NHL players and coaches up close right here in Muskoka. Some lucky fans even got sticks and t-shirts to take home.

The one hour event highlighted the strong connection between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Muskoka community, building on the success of last year’s visit. The Town of Bracebridge extends a huge thanks to the Toronto Maple Leafs organization for their generosity and continued commitment to engaging with local communities.

Here is what the Mayor had to say.

“Having the Toronto Maple Leafs return to Bracebridge for a community practice is an unforgettable experience for our students. Opportunities like this inspire young athletes and create lasting memories for everyone in attendance. On behalf of the Town, thank you to the Toronto Maple Leafs for bringing such incredible energy to the Muskoka Lumber Arena.” Rick Maloney, Mayor, Town of Bracebridge

The event was not open to the public. Two friends Stephanie and Hadleigh were thrilled to be in attendance instead of doing math at school.

We caught up with Maple Leafs Captain Austin Matthews after practice. “The stands are always filled with kids and people come to watch, and it’s awesome,”  “The atmosphere is always fun coming here, and I think they enjoy it as well.”Matthews said.

Everybody loves @CarltonTheBear 🥹💙 pic.twitter.com/KAq3RlmkHO

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 1, 2025

“It’s a really important think to get guys together like this,” said Leafs’ Head Coach Craig Berube. “They can loosen up and have some fun, so it is a real good trip in my opinion.”

The Maple Leafs next preseason game is Saturday October 4th against the Detroit Red Wings

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The afternoon began with the Youth Ball Hockey Experience at 3 p.m. in the centre’s parking lot. Young players braved the heat and pavement, showing off their skills before the main event.

Fans arrived wearing hats, jerseys and their favourite hockey gear, ready for what turned out to be a night full of fun, energy, and hockey.

The game featured past and present elite players who treated fans to end-to-end scoring action from start to finish. Honourable mention goes to local goaltenders Jesse Grime and Justin Hems, who made big saves all game and helped keep the score close.

The buzzer marked the first intermission, giving fans a chance to grab arena eats from Brews and Bites and browse merchandise.

During the break, coach and former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Wendel Clark was asked what his team needed to do in the second period.

“Score as many as we did in the first period,” he chuckled.

Edmonton Oilers centre Adam Henrique scored several goals with his beautiful wrist shot.

“Almost,” he laughed, when asked if it was a career night, before heading to the dressing room for the final intermission.

After regulation time, fans were treated to a shootout and a three-on-three showcase.

But this night wasn’t about who won or lost — it was about bringing people together and raising money in support of the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation and United Way Simcoe Muskoka.

Players and coaches took time to meet delighted fans and sign autographs during the game and intermissions.

Organizers say plans are already underway for next year’s event.

For updates on the 2026 edition, visit: hockeynightinmuskoka.akaraisin.com

The 1st Annual Hockey Night n Muskoka Event was a huge success in Bracebridge last night raising over $100,000 to support South Muskoka Hospital Foundation and United Way Simcoe Muskoka's programs. A great game, shootout and Three-On-Three. Great energy at the sold out new arena.… pic.twitter.com/yF3V2BhMyP

— Stefan Ottenbrite (@StefanM411) August 15, 2025

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Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the building, causing significant damage to a paint shop and Mattresses of Muskoka. Mutual aid from Gravenhurst was brought in to help battle the fire.

At the height of the blaze, six trucks and more than 25 firefighters were on scene. The damage is estimated at $1 million.

Interim Fire Chief Mike Peake said no injuries were reported. The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate the cause.

Monica Lane was closed to allow crews to operate safely, and town staff spread sand to improve icy conditions caused by water used to fight the fire.

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The festivities kicked off Wednesday night with the Boots and Hearts Barn Burner charity hockey game in Barrie featuring players from the NHL, PWHL and OHL. The event raised $408,352 and was the most successful Barn Burner event yet. The funds raised are going to local initiatives, including the RVH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), John Tavares Foundation‘s programs for kids, PIE Education, Rotary Club and several other organizations.

By late Thursday afternoon, the gates were open. Everyone arrived with drinks and food, showing off their Boots gear. At 6:30 p.m., the night kicked off with some tunes from Muskoka on the Porch Stage. Cam Galloway, a 21-year-old singer/songwriter from Bracebridge, performed as part of the Emerging Artist Showcase. He has three new singles out this year: “Sober You”, “Repeat” and the recently released “Beer Might”.

For Miranda Regular and her friends who drove up from Barrie, it’s about having a good time. “I love all the artists that come here and put on a good show,” she said while taking photos with friends. Matchbox Twenty and Thomas Rhett were her two favourite artists over the weekend. It was Miranda’s second time at Boots, and she will be back.

The camping area is right out of a movie with the festival giving people prizes in exchange for their bags of trash to prevent litter and the health unit giving away condoms and naloxone kits for people who need them. The camping Olympics is quite a scene with slip-n-slides, beer pong and people jumping into pools with their full country outfits on.

Muskoka411 found a crew from Barrie relaxing and taking a quick break from partying. “My favourite part about Boots is coming together with friends and country music all weekend,” Jenna Hutchinson said with megaphone in hand, adding that Cody Johnson put on a heck of a show Friday night.

The Boots and Hearts Music Festival wouldn’t be possible without all the great people behind it, from organizers, ground staff and production staff to security and medical staff. But most of all, the volunteers made it happen.

Doug Shipley, member of Parliament for Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte, stopped by for a visit before the gates opened on Thursday. “I was fascinated to learn how many volunteers return year after year because they love their #bootsfamily so much. Volunteers and staff are a treasured commodity at this event and it was great to meet their volunteer coordinator and hear about how dedicated they are to a positive volunteer experience. Staff and volunteers alike are well cared for and clearly enjoy their experience,” he said on his Facebook account.

After a fantastic weekend, it’s time to rest up and get ready for Boots 2025. When the festival ended on Sunday night after Jason Aldean, fans agreed that there is no better family than the Boots family.

Avril Lavigne performed "Bulletproof" with Nate Smith at Boot and Hearts Music Festival#AvrilLavigne #NateSmith #Bulletproof #BootAndHeartsMusicFestival pic.twitter.com/Un7HBtL098

— Avril Lavigne Tribe (@AvrilTribe) August 12, 2024

Visit the Boots and Hearts website to learn more about the festival.

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Crews received a call at 6:30 p.m. for a report of an electrical fire in an attic at Camp Frenda on Morinus Road in Port Carling.  When crews arrived, they found smoke inside the building and were able to put out the fire quickly. There were no injuries, according to authorities, and damage is estimated at around $5,000.

Just after midnight on Monday morning, crews were called to a significant cottage fire on Ed Briese Road near Old Parry Sound Road. Upon arrival, crews found the cottage fully engulfed in heavy smoke and flames. About 25 firefighters from four stations were on scene for several hours battling the blaze.

There was no one home at the time, so there were no injuries reported and damage is estimated at around $1.8M. The cause remains under investigation.

The post Two Structure Fires Keep Muskoka Lakes Fire Crews Busy appeared first on Muskoka411.

The group held an on-ice practice that was open to the public, and engaged in a series of team-building activities including a round of golf and team dinner.

The excitement could be felt in the community as local residents and students from nearby schools gathered to watch the live NHL practice.

Donning their blue and white jerseys, fans enthusiastically cheered as the team took the ice. After the practice, some lucky fans were able to get autographs from their favourite players.

Gravenhurst Mayor Heidi Lorenz was thrilled to have the team back in town.

“I was so excited to hear the Leafs were once again coming to Gravenhurst as part of kicking off their season,” said Mayor Lorenz. “This visit really energizes the community. I also hope it helps fuel success for the team this season. I wish them all the best. Go Leafs Go!”

The team was also able to celebrate Mark Giordano’s 40th birthday during the retreat.

“We had a birthday cake for him and got enough guys together to sing happy birthday,” said right-winger William Nylander. “We golfed, had a nice dinner and it was nice to hang out with the guys.”

The Maple Leafs next pre-season game is Thursday at home against Detroit. The regular season kicks off October 11 at home against Montreal.

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Fire crews arrived at 5:15 a.m. to a house on Windermere Road that was fully engulfed in flames. A fallen power line at the rear of the property is believed to have caused the fire.

Close to twenty firefighters battled the blaze from four stations – Windermere/Raymond, Port Carling, Minett and Milford Bay. Crews worked until 3 p.m. to contain the blaze.

With no water source close by, crews had to shuttle water in from several kilometres away, and use several buckets of foam at the height of the fire.

Crews were able to save a trailer and a garage on the property, however the large single-story residence was destroyed.

The fire department would like to thank motorists in the area who had to detour, due to road closures to shuttle water in.

Damage is estimated at $600,000. There was no one home at the time of the fire.

The post Home For Sale In Muskoka Lakes Destroyed By Fire appeared first on Muskoka411.

Crews got the call just at around 4 p.m. to a unit on the second floor. Once inside, crews were met with heavy smoke.

Everyone inside the building evacuated quickly and safely, including a dog. There were no injuries reported.

Deputy Fire Chief Mike Peake talked about the hot conditions firefighters had to deal with.”The heavy smoke inside the unit caused extreme temperatures for firefighters. Crews took turns so they could hydrate and stay safe… it was very hot.”

Crews enjoyed some water before leaving the scene at around 5 p.m. There is no word on a damage estimate.

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Power had been lost to the house, and when it was restored shortly after 12:20 p.m., the occupants noticed smoke in the home. They quickly escaped, and a call to 9-1-1 was placed.

Fire crews from stations one and two responded. Upon arrival, they found smoke and flames coming from the roof. Six trucks and 25 firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly.

Crews were on the scene for about three hours, and no injuries were reported.

The cause is still under investigation, but Peake says it was possibly due to a lightning strike.

There is currently no word on the damage estimate.

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When crews arrived at 4:34 a.m., they found smoke coming from the garage area of the structure. By that time, everyone had made it safely out of the home with no injuries reported.

At the peak of the blaze, there were 20 firefighters on the scene, with five trucks from stations one and two.

In a phone call, the fire department told Muskoa411 News that working smoke detectors allowed everyone to escape quickly, and the occupants called 9-1-1 immediately.

The cause and damage estimate remains under investigation.

This is a developing story, and more details will be provided as they become available.

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