Today's Toronto Sun profiles Maple Leaf's center Derek (Yoda) King.

'Yoda' King a force to be reckoned with

By Lance Hornby

The Force is with the Maple Leafs -- at least that's what left winger Derek (Yoda) King hopes. The hype surrounding The Phantom Menace this spring led to a revival of King's nickname -- stemming from his resemblance to the minuscule Jedi mentor in the Star Wars series.

Pictures of Yoda's head atop King's body have appeared around the dressing room during the playoffs and now a Yoda doll adorns his locker.

A Star Wars light-sabre skit featuring Carlton the Bear has been added to the Air Canada Centre video scoreboard in the Buffalo series and a growing number of May The Force Be With You signs are appearing on game night.

"If there's a connection to me in all this, it's great," King said with a laugh yesterday. "I don't know if I got that nickname because my ears stick out like Yoda's or because they think I'm old and wise like him, but I hope it's the latter.

"I think I need The Force about now (he has just one goal in 14 playoff games)."

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