Mitch Marner posts goodbye message to Maple Leafs, fan base on Instagram
'Leaving isn't easy. This city is where I grew up, where I fell in love with hockey, and where I've had the incredible honour of living out my childhood dream. Wearing the Maple Leaf on my chest wasn't just about playing for a team, it was about representing my home.'
Marner, drafted by the Leafs fourth overall in 2015, then touched on the failure to help the Leafs win a Stanley Cup.
'When I was drafted, all I wanted was to help bring a Stanley Cup to Toronto,' Marner said. 'That was always the goal, and I came up short. I know how much this team means to this city, and I know the expectations that come with wearing this jersey.
'I gave everything I had, but in the end, it wasn't enough. That's hard to admit, because I wanted it so badly, for all of us.'
Portions of the fan base have given Marner a rough side on social media, to say the least, and criticism hasn't been limited to hockey, but the 28-year-old addressed Leafs Nation with thanks.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
Charles Barkley reiterates his love for ‘the best city in the world' Toronto
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has once again reiterated that Toronto is his favourite city, this time on a podcast. Appearing on the 'Pardon My Take' podcast on July 28, Barkley shouted out both the city and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Barkley and the two hosts were discussing TNT commentator Paul Bissonnette—who Barkley worked with during his time at the broadcaster—and Bissonnette's loud and proud love for the Leafs. 'Man, I'm rooting for them (the Leafs),' Barkley said. 'Yeah, they got to win soon. I know they let (Mitch) Marner just go, but man, I root for that because that's my favourite city in the world.' 'Toronto is the best city in the world. Easily,' he continued. 'Chicago summers are the second best. Those are my two favorite places in the world.' It's not the first time Barkley has expressed his love for Toronto, having previously done so during the Toronto Raptors' NBA championship run, calling the city 'one of the best kept secrets in the world.' It's also not the first time Barkley has publicly supported the Maple Leafs. Earlier this year, he predicted them to go all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, though he picked fellow Canadians the Edmonton Oilers to beat them.
National Post
2 days ago
- National Post
Zayne Parekh out for remainder of World Junior Summer Showcase
Zayne Parekh won't be participating in the rest of the World Junior Summer Showcase. Article content The Calgary Flames ' prized prospect will skip the rest of Team Canada's mid-summer camp for precautionary reasons related to a lower-body injury. Article content Article content The Flames announced Tuesday afternoon that he'd already returned to Calgary to follow up with the team's medical staff but is expected to be a full participant at training camp when it starts in September. Article content 'It'd be awesome, hopefully I'm playing in Calgary around that time,' Parekh told TSN on Monday when asked about playing for Canada in the IIHF World Junior Championships in December. 'I guess my future is a little up in the air right now, but my goal is to play in Calgary for the whole year. Article content 'As weird as it sounds, best case scenario is I might not be playing in the tournament if I'm fortunate enough to be selected, but any time you can wear that Maple Leaf, it's an honour.' Article content Parekh, selected ninth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, is widely expected to be with the Flames and playing NHL minutes next season. He's too young to play for the Wranglers in the AHL and after leading the CHL in defensive scoring last season, there's little good that can be done for his development if he were to return to the OHL for another year with the Saginaw Spirit. Article content
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Zayne Parekh out for remainder of World Junior Summer Showcase
Article content Zayne Parekh won't be participating in the rest of the World Junior Summer Showcase. Article content The Calgary Flames ' prized prospect will skip the rest of Team Canada's mid-summer camp for precautionary reasons related to a lower-body injury. Article content Article content The Flames announced Tuesday afternoon that he'd already returned to Calgary to follow up with the team's medical staff but is expected to be a full participant at training camp when it starts in September. Article content Article content 'It'd be awesome, hopefully I'm playing in Calgary around that time,' Parekh told TSN on Monday when asked about playing for Canada in the IIHF World Junior Championships in December. 'I guess my future is a little up in the air right now, but my goal is to play in Calgary for the whole year. Article content Article content 'As weird as it sounds, best case scenario is I might not be playing in the tournament if I'm fortunate enough to be selected, but any time you can wear that Maple Leaf, it's an honour.' Article content Parekh, selected ninth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, is widely expected to be with the Flames and playing NHL minutes next season. He's too young to play for the Wranglers in the AHL and after leading the CHL in defensive scoring last season, there's little good that can be done for his development if he were to return to the OHL for another year with the Saginaw Spirit. Article content
