MAPLE LEAFS NOTES: Camp instructors consider draft pick TLK an A student
As Hayley Wickenheiser wrapped up the 2025 Maple Leafs development camp for media, she eyed Tinus-Luc Koblar milking every last second on ice, stalling the Zamboni as the last skater to exit the Ford Centre pad.
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'A very serious kid,' said Toronto's assistant general manager, as this year's top draft pick flew around, putting on a bar-down shooting show, with a Michigan move or two. 'I think it comes from having the Olympic history with his parents (dad an alpine skier, mom a biathlete) and knowing what training and work ethic are all about.
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'It seems he doesn't give up much on the ice. He gets pushed around, he pushes right back. I liked what I saw there and his good offensive instincts. He's been a bright spot at camp.'
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The 6-foot-3 forward was asked by the Leafs to stay around Toronto's NHL summer workouts a few days beyond this week. Chosen 64th overall, he'll return to the Leksands juniors in Sweden.
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A year ago, Nathan Mayes was more curiosity than confirmed prospect as the last player chosen in the NHL draft, 225th overall.
But the 6-foot-4 defenceman from the Spokane Chiefs improved from 16 points to 27 in fewer appearances, turning a minus 16 into plus 15. He added 12 points in 20 playoff games in reaching the WHL finals.
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'I've said since last year, it's irrelevant where I was picked,' Mayes said. 'It just fuels me to get better every day.'
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Wickenheiser likes the numbers Mayes posted, opining he just must decide his own direction.
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'He scored some really nice goals. It's finding the sweet spot of who is going to be. He's a big body. Is he more a defensive defenceman, even though he skates well with good hands?'
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FAMILY AFFAIR
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Watching 6-2 NCAA forward Nick Rheaume was a delight for Wickenheiser. He's the nephew of her national team mentor Manon Rheaume and son of former NHL defender Pascal. Manon was the first female goaltender to appear in an NHL exhibition game for Tampa Bay, Wickenheiser broke ground on a men's club team in Finland,
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'I admired how Manon navigated the NHL situation and she was a great teammate, too,' Wickenheiser said. 'When I see Nick, I see Manon. They're similar in many ways. He's just a really nice kid who wants to play pro hockey so badly.'
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The 23-year-old Nick went undrafted and just wrapped up his third college season at Northeastern.
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Toronto Sun
8 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Former Boston Bruins forward Lyndon Byers dies at 61
'His rugged, rough-and-tumble style ... was a key cog on the Bruins teams that made trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 1988 and 1990.' IMG_5329_296725301.png Former Regina Pats power forward Lyndon Byers, who played parts of 10 NHL seasons after being a second-round draft choice in 1982, has died at 61. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Byers was a 6-foot-1, 200-pound enforcer for the Boston Bruins, where he spent nine seasons before completing his NHL career in 1992-93 with the San Jose Sharks. In 379 regular-season games he had 28 goals, 43 assists and 1,021 penalty minutes. According to he was in 92 NHL fights. The team released a social media statement on Saturday, one day after his death: 'The Boston Bruins are deeply saddened by the passing of Lyndon Byers. Lyndon was a fan favorite (sic) across his nine seasons in the Black & Gold thanks to his rugged, rough-and-tumble style and was a key cog on the B's teams that made trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 1988 and 1990.' A cause of death was not revealed. Byers' wife, Anne, also posted about his passing on social media and said a memorial service is being planned: 'It is with deep regret that I have to announce that LB passed away yesterday morning. (Son) Will and I are still working to process this news … we recognize how many people loved and cared for him and considered him a friend.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Boston selected Byers 39th overall in the 1982 NHL draft. Byers also played for nine franchises in the International and American leagues. 'He was a bubbly, infectious, larger-than-life guy,' said former Pats broadcaster Kevin Gallant. 'He was driven and we knew he was going to make it to the NHL. So much fun to be around and a great defender of his teammates, which is what makes this loss so hard because he was such a popular guy.' Born in Nipawin, Byers played midget hockey at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox before starting a three-season stint with Regina in 1981-82. In 185 WHL regular-season games he had 82 goals, 120 assists and 476 penalty minutes. The Pats were league finalists in his first and third seasons, losing to the Portland Winter Hawks and Kamloops Oilers respectively. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A beloved personality in the Boston area, Byers spent 25 years as a radio broadcaster following his retirement. Read More The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe. Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists Crime Toronto & GTA Ontario
Calgary Herald
8 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Former Boston Bruins forward Lyndon Byers dies at 61
Article content Former Regina Pats power forward Lyndon Byers, who played parts of 10 NHL seasons after being a second-round draft choice in 1982, has died at 61. Article content Byers was a 6-foot-1, 200-pound enforcer for the Boston Bruins, where he spent nine seasons before completing his NHL career in 1992-93 with the San Jose Sharks. In 379 regular-season games he had 28 goals, 43 assists and 1,021 penalty minutes. According to he was in 92 NHL fights. Article content Article content The team released a social media statement on Saturday, one day after his death: Article content Article content 'The Boston Bruins are deeply saddened by the passing of Lyndon Byers. Lyndon was a fan favorite (sic) across his nine seasons in the Black & Gold thanks to his rugged, rough-and-tumble style and was a key cog on the B's teams that made trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 1988 and 1990.' Article content Byers' wife, Anne, also posted about his passing on social media and said a memorial service is being planned: 'It is with deep regret that I have to announce that LB passed away yesterday morning. (Son) Will and I are still working to process this news … we recognize how many people loved and cared for him and considered him a friend.' Article content Boston selected Byers 39th overall in the 1982 NHL draft. Byers also played for nine franchises in the International and American leagues. Article content Article content 'He was a bubbly, infectious, larger-than-life guy,' said former Pats broadcaster Kevin Gallant. 'He was driven and we knew he was going to make it to the NHL. So much fun to be around and a great defender of his teammates, which is what makes this loss so hard because he was such a popular guy.' Article content Article content Born in Nipawin, Byers played midget hockey at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox before starting a three-season stint with Regina in 1981-82. In 185 WHL regular-season games he had 82 goals, 120 assists and 476 penalty minutes. The Pats were league finalists in his first and third seasons, losing to the Portland Winter Hawks and Kamloops Oilers respectively. Article content Article content
Edmonton Journal
8 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Former Regina Pats, Boston Bruins forward Lyndon Byers dies at 61
Article content Former Regina Pats power forward Lyndon Byers, who played parts of 10 NHL seasons after being a second-round draft choice in 1982, has died at 61. Article content Byers was a 6-foot-1, 200-pound enforcer for the Boston Bruins, where he spent nine seasons before completing his NHL career in 1992-93 with the San Jose Sharks. In 379 regular-season games he had 28 goals, 43 assists and 1,021 penalty minutes. According to he was in 92 NHL fights. Article content The team released a social media statement on Saturday, one day after his death: Article content Article content 'The Boston Bruins are deeply saddened by the passing of Lyndon Byers. Lyndon was a fan favorite (sic) across his nine seasons in the Black & Gold thanks to his rugged, rough-and-tumble style and was a key cog on the B's teams that made trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 1988 and 1990.' Byers' wife, Anne, also posted about his passing on social media and said a memorial service is being planned: 'It is with deep regret that I have to announce that LB passed away yesterday morning. (Son) Will and I are still working to process this news … we recognize how many people loved and cared for him and considered him a friend.' Article content Boston selected Byers 39th overall in the 1982 NHL draft. Byers also played for nine franchises in the International and American leagues. Article content Article content 'He was a bubbly, infectious, larger-than-life guy,' said former Pats broadcaster Kevin Gallant. 'He was driven and we knew he was going to make it to the NHL. So much fun to be around and a great defender of his teammates, which is what makes this loss so hard because he was such a popular guy.' Article content Article content Born in Nipawin, Byers played midget hockey at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox before starting a three-season stint with Regina in 1981-82. In 185 WHL regular-season games he had 82 goals, 120 assists and 476 penalty minutes. The Pats were league finalists in his first and third seasons, losing to the Portland Winter Hawks and Kamloops Oilers respectively. Article content A beloved personality in the Boston area, Byers spent 25 years as a radio broadcaster following his retirement. Article content Article content
