The Maple Leafs skated at Scotiabank Arena on Friday. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Mitch Marner isn\u2019t sure what reception he\u2019ll receive in his first NHL game in Toronto as a member of the visiting team. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see as soon as warmups start,\u201d the Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> forward said. \u201cBut just excited to go back there. That building\u2019s meant a lot to me, so excited to be going back to it and playing in it.\u201d<\/p>\n Marner already heard some boos from Leafs fans when he played Toronto for the first time last week in Las Vegas. Would it be tough to get booed in his hometown? <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe in a way, but not really,\u201d the 28-year-old said. \u201cThey\u2019re going to probably try to do their thing to get me off my game and try to win … I\u2019ve got a lot of great players around me here to help me out. I\u2019ve been through a couple of things like this before.\u201d<\/p>\n The best advice he\u2019s received about this return game?<\/p>\n \u201cJust, it\u2019s another hockey game, realistically,\u201d Marner said. \u201cIt\u2019s another hockey game to just go out there and play and try to do what you usually do to help win a hockey game.\u201d<\/p>\n Marner\u2019s nine-year run as a Leaf started off as a dream come true, but ended in nightmare fashion. He was actually booed by some fans the last time he played at Scotiabank Arena during a 6-1 loss in Game 7 of Toronto\u2019s second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers<\/a>. That was the farthest the team ever advanced during Marner\u2019s tenure. <\/p>\n “We lose Game 7 as we do in [the most] non-enjoyable way of all time probably”<\/p>\n Mitch Marner on his final game playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. pic.twitter.com\/pfIWx0eF65<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n “Having full-time security, pretty much, at your house for two weeks after the playoffs just to make sure no one’s coming to your house”<\/p>\n Mitch Marner on dealing with the scrutiny from fans after the playoffs. pic.twitter.com\/CM3w22x7CA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Still, there were plenty of great moments too, as Marner rocketed up the franchise scoring list. He\u2019s currently sixth overall after getting passed by good friend Auston Matthews<\/a> earlier this season. <\/p>\n Marner also made a big impact off the ice, launching his own charitable foundation. Last season, he was Toronto\u2019s nominee for the King Clancy<\/a> Memorial Trophy, which is presented to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.<\/p>\n Marner\u2019s contributions will be showcased in a video tribute during Friday\u2019s game. <\/p>\n \u201cThat one I\u2019m trying not to think of too much,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019ll really hit once it starts going and stuff like that. But, yeah, I\u2019m not trying to think about it too much. I think it\u2019s going to be a cool moment. I\u2019m going to try to enjoy it and then try to get back to hockey right away. But, yeah, I don\u2019t know. I haven\u2019t thought of that too much. I\u2019m trying not to. I know it\u2019s going to be maybe a weird, cool, special moment all in one.\u201d<\/p>\n Joseph Woll on Mitch Marner’s return to Toronto: “A special player for this team for a long time. A big presence in the community. I would hope it’s a warm welcome … I hope the fans pay him respect”<\/p>\n Scott Laughton: “I’m sure it’s going to be … loud”https:\/\/t.co\/xealsT78dR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mark Masters (@markhmasters) January 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Marner admitted it was strange to wake up in a hotel instead of his home on Friday, but he\u2019s doing his best to make this day feel as normal as possible. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure once warmups are over and the anthem starts going, you know, your heart will beat a little faster,\u201d he acknowledged. \u201cBut, as soon as the puck drops, I\u2019m just going to try to think of it as just another game.\u201d<\/p>\n Marner fielded 20 questions from reporters at the Knights hotel on Friday morning before the media session was halted by the team\u2019s media relations staff at the seven-minute mark. <\/p>\n The final question: Is he more excited for the game or for the game to be over?<\/p>\n \u201cExcited to go out there and play hockey and do my thing,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m sure once the game is over, I\u2019ll be excited just to have it over with and kind of be done. So, yeah, both emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n ‘It was a special thing to wear that Maple Leafs jersey’: Marner fields questions in return to Toronto Ahead of the Golden Knights’ clash with the Maple Leafs on Friday night, Mitch Marner spoke about how it feels to be back in Toronto where his NHL career began and what type of reception he expects to receive when he hits the ice. <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Marner initially attempted to deflect a question about what it meant to be a Maple Leaf. <\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I got asked that in the summer,\u201d he said. \u201cI mean, I think I answered that. You know, I don\u2019t want to look back anymore. I don\u2019t want to look in the past. I feel like if you look back, you know, you\u2019ll not focus on what\u2019s in front of you. So, yeah, not to kind of not answer it, but I feel like I answered that in the summertime and I\u2019m focused on what\u2019s going on right now.\u201d<\/p>\n “We loved being in Toronto full time and being close to family and friends, but we just thought it was time for a new chapter in life”<\/p>\n Mitch Marner on his departure from Toronto. pic.twitter.com\/B9VzeGlw24<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Eventually, Marner indulged in some nostalgia when asked a follow-up question about living out a childhood dream. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was a special thing to wear that Maple Leaf jersey,\u201d he said. \u201cI always wanted to, and to be able to do it for nine years and be a part of that team and to play in that arena that I grew up trying to go to watch Mats Sundin<\/a>, all the legends really, play, yeah, it was pretty cool. It was something that I\u2019ll be able to look back on and share with my kids and just how fortunate I was for that.\u201d<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Marner is hoping to follow the lead of John Tavares<\/a>, who played the first nine seasons of his career with the New York Islanders<\/a> before returning to Nassau Coliseum as a Leaf during the 2018-19 season.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was cool and collected about it,\u201d Marner said. \u201cIt didn\u2019t bother him as much as people thought it could have. That was pretty interesting. I think for me to watch that and think of it now … I\u2019m going to try to go and do it.\u201d<\/p>\n During pre-game interview, John Tavares asked how he deals with negativity & says the “Man in the Arena” quote from Theodore Roosevelt has always resonated with him<\/p>\n “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles …” pic.twitter.com\/5InZyKkccb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 28, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n The Leafs fell 6-1 to the Islanders on Feb. 28, 2019. Tavares had his sweater burned outside the arena and had plastic snakes thrown at him during warmups. Fans booed Tavares when he touched the puck and throughout his video tribute and targeted him with derisive chants throughout the night. <\/p>\n \u201cI wish we played a better game for him in that first game back,\u201d Marner said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe game didn\u2019t go very well so that added to it as well,\u201d Tavares recalled. \u201cI was prepared as I could be. Tried to just go out and play, show my appreciation when the moment was there. You\u2019re on a different team now, so you don\u2019t expect the same support as when you played there.\u201d<\/p>\n Tavares reflects on first Long Island visit as Marner gets set for return to Toronto John Tavares recalled the first time he stepped on the ice in Long Island in February of 2019 as an opposing player and spoke about what he thinks Mitch Marner might be feeling when he steps on the ice Friday in Toronto. <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Anthony Stolarz<\/a> will start for the Leafs on Friday night. It will be the goalie\u2019s first game action since Nov. 11. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a huge boost,\u201d said coach Craig Berube<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s been working hard and he\u2019s ready to go. We gotta get him in at some point. He\u2019s good to go and we\u2019re very happy he\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a long road back for Stolarz, who has been sidelined with what he described as a nerve issue. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a huge part of this team,\u201d Berube said. \u201cThat goaltending tandem is very good.\u201d<\/p>\n Friday is the first time all season that Stolarz and Joseph Woll<\/a> will both dress in the same game.<\/p>\n ‘It’s a huge boost for the team’: Stolarz will start in net against Golden Knights Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed that Anthony Stolarz will be in net when the Leafs host the Golden Knights on Friday. His teammates spoke about how great it was to see their netminder back on the ice. Berube also said the decision on whether the team will keep three goaltenders will be one that is made at a later date. <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Oliver Ekman-Larsson<\/a> is officially listed as a game-time decision but is expected to play after leaving Wednesday\u2019s loss to the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> early with a lower-body injury. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s looking pretty good, which is huge for us,\u201d Berube said.<\/p>\n Ekman-Larsson has played every game for the Leafs this season. What makes the defenceman so durable at age 34?<\/p>\n \u201cFirst of all, you got to want to play through things,\u201d Berube said. \u201cEverybody\u2019s banged up. Like, there\u2019s a lot of guys in the league that are banged-up, and it\u2019s a mindset and choice that you play through it and he\u2019s definitely one of those guys. He\u2019s been doing it since I\u2019ve been here coaching him. A number of things he goes through, but he fights through it.\u201d<\/p>\n Tavares is the only other Leafs player to dress in every game this season.<\/p>\n Ekman-Larsson a game-time decision vs. Vegas; Leafs impressed by his durability Maple Leafs defencemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson participated in the morning skate after leaving Wednesday\u2019s overtime loss to the Red Wings with an injury. Head coach Craig Berube lauded Ekman-Larsson’s toughness and the durability he has shown throughout his career. <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Berube sustained his own injury on Thursday, which was a day off for the team. <\/p>\n \u201cI had an accident in the gym,\u201d the coach said with a smile. \u201cThe other guy looks way worse.\u201d<\/p>\n Berube has a black eye and lifted his hat to reveal multiple stitches across his forehead. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was stupid,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s on me. My fault. I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n What did the players think?<\/p>\n \u201cThey laughed,\u201d Berube said. \u201cThey loved it, especially when I told them what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n What did happen?<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to talk about it. Nobody needs to know. It\u2019s all good.\u201d<\/p>\n ‘It was just a bad accident’: Berube keeps sense of humour following gym incident Maple Leafs head coach revealed he had an accident in the gym on Thursday which left him with a black eye and several stitches at the top of his head. Berube confirmed he will coach Friday and joked that the players got a kick out of seeing him. <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n