 On October 13 , 1951 , the Leafs and the Chicago Black Hawks played an afternoon exhibition of hockey , prior to their regularly scheduled evening game , for Princess Elizabeth , the future Queen Elizabeth II , during her visit to Canada . It was captain Teeder Kennedy , representing the players , who greeted the Princess at the game . Kennedy said it was a thrilling moment and recalled thinking at the time , " Here 's a kid from the little village of Humberstone , Ontario being presented to the Queen . " The 1951 – 52 season was dominated by Gordie Howe and the Red Wings as they finished the regular season in first and then swept third place Toronto in the first round of the playoffs and Montreal in second round without losing a single game . 
