Meet Dart Guy, a meme-worthy beacon of hope for Leafs fans

CTV News Channel: 'Dart Guy' on achieving fame 'Dart Guy' says he was expecting a '5 second flash' of fame after he was elevated to a level of viral infamy.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Washington Capitals Wednesday night for game four of the playoff series, they’ll have a new, blue-bearded mascot on their side.

Jason Maslakow, AKA Dart Guy, has become an unofficial good luck charm for the Leafs ever since game two, when he was singled out in the crowd by a cameraman. Maslakow’s face was painted with a massive blue maple leaf and an unlit cigarette dangled from his lips.

The internet quickly pounced. Before the game was over, Maslakow had been dubbed Dart Guy -- Canadian slang for his cigarette -- and transformed into a meme.

The Leafs went on to defeat the Capitals 4-3 in double overtime, and claimed another overtime victory in game three. Fans have since rallied around Dart Guy and adopted him as a harbinger of victory.

But Maslakow is cautious to give himself any credit for the Leafs 2-1 lead in the series.

“It’s great of Leafs Nation and the fan base to get behind me like that, but this is about the hard work the Leafs are putting in and their effort on the ice is what’s winning the game – not some guy in the stands,” he told CTV News Channel on Wednesday.

Maslakow, an auto worker for a Toyota plant in Cambridge, Ont., says that he’s been a “bleeding blue” Leafs fan for as long as he can remember. Being mythologized by fans, he says, has been a surreal experience.

“You know what, I’m just enjoying every minute of it while it’s here for me,” he said.

The fanfare has also helped Maslakow connect with some of his all-time-favourite players, Gary Leeman and Wendel Clark, who sought out a picture with Dart Guy before game three.

“I couldn’t have thought of that in my wildest dreams. So when I heard Wendel was searching me out for a picture, I made sure I got over to him,” he said. “That was pretty amazing.”

Transforming into Dart Guy takes some time, Maslakow admits, especially when he has to shave down his hair.

“Could be looking at upwards of an hour, and hour and a half to get it all done,” he said.

But all the effort has been worth it. He says family and friends love all the attention he’s getting.

“Everybody’s just so happy for me and proud of me for going along with this. They all know how much of a diehard fan I am and how passionate I am about the Toronto Maple Leafs,” he said.

As for exactly why he had an unlit cigarette in his mouth, Maslakow says the shot was “purely coincidence.”

“I never could’ve fathomed that something like this would’ve happened,” he said.