The Vegas Golden Knights made headlines on June 30th when they acquired Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. This move made sense for both parties. Marner re-opened the Golden Knights’ contention window; in turn, the Golden Knights represented a much-needed fresh start for the 28-year-old superstar.
The Maple Leafs drafted Marner fourth overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He’s a skilled, cerebral playmaker fresh off a 102-point season. He should have gone down as one of the best homegrown talents to wear the Maple Leaf. Instead, his Toronto tenure ended with fans booing him off the ice.
Marner spoke to TSN’s Mark Masters at Hockey Canada’s Olympic orientation camp on Thursday and opened up about his decision to leave Toronto.
“We decided it was time for a new chapter,” said Marner. “We loved our time [in Toronto], being close to family and friends, but we just thought it was time for a new chapter in life. Having Miles, our son, we wanted to look at other options and see what was out there. We found one that we really liked, and we’re really happy with it.”
However, for Marner, it wasn’t just about starting fresh in a new city. In many ways, he left Toronto for the safety of himself and his family. Following the Maple Leafs’ crushing Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers, one fan crossed the line and posted Marner’s address on social media.
For weeks after Game 7, fans invaded Marner’s privacy. He had to hire full-time security to make sure no one showed up at his house. He couldn’t so much as leave his house to walk his dog or take his son outside. Marner even received death threats.
“It was a lot,” Marner admitted. “We lose Game 7 as we do, in a non-enjoyable way of all time, probably. Get home, you’re pretty disappointed, you’re pretty devastated at that, and the thought that it could be my last Maple Leafs game at home.
“And then I got a phone call, probably about five or so minutes after, from my wife’s father,” continued Marner. “He said, ‘I just wanted to let you know, we’ve got people sending us screenshots of a guy posting your address online. It said that if people want to come pay us a visit and say their goodbyes, here’s the address.
“It was tough, obviously,” Marner conceded. “We kind of dealt with it for the last two years, in a way. The market’s very passionate. They love their team. I mean, I know it; I was born and raised here, and I’ve been a part of Leafs Nation for a long time. But when your family’s safety comes into question, especially having a new son, I don’t think it’s acceptable. [We had] full-time security at our house for two weeks after the playoffs just to make sure no one came to the house.
“It was a little unfortunate, but we all deal with this stuff,” Marner finished. “Sometimes it happens.”
However, Marner acknowledged that his time as a Maple Leaf wasn’t anything close to being all bad. He reflected on the good times and spoke fondly about his nine years in a Maple Leafs jersey.
“[Leaving Toronto] was bittersweet,” said Marner. “For all the negative comments out there, there are so many love comments. The problem is, the love comments don’t come out as much as the hatred ones. That’s just the way life goes, and that’s what social media has turned into, in a way. But I’m forever grateful to have been a Maple Leaf and wear that crest on my chest for nine years. I gave everything I had for those nine years, and it sucks that we weren’t able to get it done. We had so many good teams that just fell short.
“That hurt, and the pain that Leafs Nation felt, we felt it as well. We were the ones living in the moment; we were the ones who wanted to bring [the Stanley Cup] back. It didn’t happen… But I’m forever grateful to [have worn] the Maple Leaf. The fans have shown incredible support and love to me throughout my nine years. That’s something I’ll never forget,” Marner finished.
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