The Uncle

Team Name: Ottawa Senators

Founded: 1992 (modern NHL franchise; the original Ottawa Senators team was one of hockey’s earliest dynasties from 1883–1934)

City: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Biggest Achievement: The modern Senators’ biggest achievement came in 2007, when they reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. Although they lost to the Anaheim Ducks, that playoff run remains their greatest milestone. The original Senators (pre-1934) won 11 Stanley Cups, making Ottawa one of hockey’s historic cities.

Team Name: Toronto Maple Leafs
Founded: The team was founded in 1917, as one of the original teams of the NHL.
City: Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada since their founding.

Biggest Achievement:

• The Maple Leafs have won the Stanley Cup 13 times, making them one of the most successful NHL franchises historically.
  
  
• Their Stanley Cup victories range mostly from the 1910s through the 1960s, with the most recent championship in 1967.
  
  
• Despite a long Stanley Cup drought since then, they remain one of the most popular and storied teams in hockey.

Type: Deciduous ornamental tree or shrub.

Needles: None – has deeply lobed, palmate leaves that are red or reddish-purple.

Lifespan: Typically 50–100 years with proper care.

Habitat: Native to Japan, Korea, and China; thrives in temperate climates with partial shade.

Uses: Landscaping, bonsai, and Japanese gardens for its striking foliage and form.

Adaptations: Can grow in partial shade to protect delicate leaves; tolerates different soil types.

Ecological Role: Provides nectar for pollinators in spring; offers shelter for small birds and insects.

Fun fact: Some Japanese Red Maples are cultivated to have leaves that change color multiple times in a single fall season!

Type: Herbaceous perennial flowering plant.

Needles: None – has narrow, lance-shaped or feathery leaves.

Lifespan: Typically 2–5 years, though some varieties persist longer.

Habitat: Native to North and South America; thrives in well-drained soils, meadows, prairies, and gardens with full sun.

Uses: Ornamental gardens, cut flowers, and attracting pollinators.

Adaptations: Drought-tolerant; produces abundant flowers to attract insects.

Ecological Role: Provides nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; seeds feed birds.

Fun fact: The name “tickseed” comes from the seeds’ tendency to stick to clothing or animal fur, like tiny ticks!

• Elbows Up is a warning or cue for players to protect themselves or be ready for physical contact, especially along the boards.
• Elbows Up, Uncle is an informal or playful phrase reminding a teammate to stay tough and alert during aggressive play.
• Collapse refers to when defenders move closer to their net to protect the crease and block high-danger scoring chances.

• A Blazing Rush is a fast, aggressive offensive push where a player or team races toward the opponent’s net to create a scoring chance.
• Your Call, Uncle is a phrase used to signal that a teammate has the decision-making lead on the next play or pass.
• Defend Your Zone means maintaining strong positioning and coverage within your assigned area to prevent the opposing team from advancing or scoring.