'We Had Quite The Hatred For Each Other': Why Mitch Marner Brought One Of His Hockey Rivals For The Team's Annual Mentors' Trip
Marner brought a former hockey rival, turned teammate and later friend to the Toronto's annual mentors' trip.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Like many of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner had his choice of who he could bring for the club's annual mentors' trip this season.
This time, Marner brought Matt Grzelewski, one of his biggest hockey rivals in minor hockey growing up.
"We had quite the hatred for each other," Marner explained. "And then through the years, we've just grown a great bond. We've gotten close to each other. He's been a good friend of mine for a long time now and played the game of hockey himself, so he enjoys it. I thought it would be cool for him to see what we do on a day-to-day basis."
Marner referred to Grezelewski as the 'King of Thunder Bay' and he would have tournaments against him during minor hockey playing days. They eventually became teammates with the London Knights during the 2014-15 season.
"We had some good battles back in the day and it's still something we joke and talk about a lot.'
The 'King of Thunder Bay" title is appropriate for the 27-year-old Grzelewski, who put up 43 goals and 36 assists in 53 games with the Thunder Bay North Stars in Junior 'A' hockey before getting a look with the Knights. The player last played competitive hockey in 2016-17, splitting time with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL and the Markham Royals in Junior 'A'.
Marner is enjoying a productive year as Toronto's top point-getter this season. An unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, the player has 14 goals and 45 assists in 43 games this season.
Related articles
Bears for first time the subject of HBO's 'Hard Knocks'
Video: Taylor Swift swallows a bug during her London Eras Tour performance... months after doing the same in Chicago
Luіs Gіl surраsses A’s Mаson Mіller аs AL ROY fаvorіte
Texans' Stefon Diggs Reflects on Relationship With Bills' QB Josh AllenThe Latest
'We Had Quite The Hatred For Each Other': Why Mitch Marner Brought One Of His Hockey Rivals For The Team's Annual Mentors' Trip
Marner brought a former hockey rival, turned teammate and later friend to the Toronto's annual mentors' trip. RALEIGH, N.C. — Like many of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner had his choice of who he could bring for the club's annual ...
Bruins Should Make Massive Move With Big Forward
The Bruins should seriously consider making this move with this forward. With the Boston Bruins losing six straight games and their season in danger of slipping away, trade rumors surrounding them have picked up. Trent Frederic is continuing to create trade chatter, but a new name ...
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73840252/2175370491.0.jpg "Cub Tracks comes to bat")
Cub Tracks comes to bat
Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. Cubs continue to beef up with mystery meat; Tucker and the Cubs exchange numbers and it’s a mismatch, and other stories. WELCOME to today’s episode of Cub Tracks ...
Former Sabres Star Gets Rough Injury News
The Edmonton Oilers have announced that former Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane will be out for an additional four to eight weeks after undergoing knee surgery. Kane has yet to play this season after undergoing abdominal surgery back in September. Now, his recovery process will ...
Canadiens: Shooting For The Stars
After taking on the second place team in the league last night and winning, the Montreal Canadiens are back home today to take on the Dallas Stars who are third in the Central division and seventh in the league. Now that ...
-1728210132-q80.webp "Sсott Lаugһton Needs to Bounсe Bасk for tһe Flyers Tһіs Seаson")