Community Practices

Providing our fans in the community with an opportunity to come out and see how a real Marlies practice runs!  They watch the pros work hard and then a select group from the audience have the chance to skate with the team.  Following the practice, fans get to meet the players and coaches themselves and get autographs from their favourite Marlies.

School Assemblies

Children represent a large part of the Marlies’ fan base, and they often face issues such as bullying at school. In conjunction with the Safe Schools Network, the Toronto Marlies launched a program which sees players take the opportunity to visit Toronto area schools to share their stories and advice about bullying and act as role models for students across the city.  Marlies’ mascot Duke the Dog makes an appearance at the safe schools campaign assemblies as well, and offers a friendly face for the school children to look up to. 

Captain’s Crew

Select groups and organizations in the community are given the opportunity that might otherwise not be possible- attending a Toronto Marlies’ home game. Along with entrance to the game, they have access to some of the best seats in the house in the suites on the third floor. In the room the crew is provided with snacks and beverages and sometimes a surprise visit from Duke!  Following the game, the crew get to meet the captain,  Ben Ondrus, himself!  He signs autographs and takes the time to talk with the kids as they share with him the goodies they found in their gift bags. 

Annual SickKids Visit

Every year, the Toronto Marlies and Duke the Dog pay a visit to SickKids hospital to play Bingo with the patients. Players are stationed through various wards in the hospital with the centre of the action taking place in the Bear Theatre.

Click here to see photos from our visit this year on December 9th, 2009.