LEAF NOTES: Once students of tactics, Toronto now studied by rivals
At that stage the third-round draft pick winger had played two games in the organization for the Marlies when his Niagara Ice Dogs were eliminated from the 2014 OHL playoffs.
Verhaeghe gradually built his two-way game to win two Cups, with the 2020 Tampa Bay Lightning and last year's Panthers.
'Toronto was a long time ago,' Verhaeghe said this week. 'But it was a good experience, coming up and getting an opportunity. I remember the pace was a lot different than junior and how it opened my eyes. (Marlies coach) Steve Spott treated me fairly, but I was only there a couple of weeks.'
Spott is now Pete DeBoer's assistant with the Dallas Stars.
O, NA-TA-LIE
The Leafs' extended playoff run has given a higher profile to Leaf anthem singer Natalie Morris.
So much so that Morris was recognized on the subway during game night this week and was serenaded by a car full of fellow commuters with, you guessed it, O Canada.
Wearing her Leaf sweater, she had her I-phone out to record the tribute, while another passenger posted video of her singing along to blogTO. Morris was a contestant on Canada's Got Talent in 2024, with a rendition of Beyonce's 'I Was Here' and Jessie J's 'Mamma Knows Best', earning herself fifth place.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Canadians nationwide celebrate country's 158th birthday
Canadians across the country flocked to local celebrations to commemorate the country's 158th birthday. Canada Day this year also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag and the 45th anniversary of the official adoption of O Canada as the national anthem. Here's a look at some of the events held across Canada. Ontario In Ottawa, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon invested six individuals — including actor Ryan Reynolds and musician Heather Rankin — into the Order of Canada during a ceremony, while thousands gathered in the capital's LeBreton Flats Park for musical performances, Indigenous cultural demonstrations and flybys from Snowbirds military jets. In front of Toronto City Hall, hundreds gathered in Nathan Phillips Square to take pictures in front of the three-dimensional Toronto sign, and enjoy live music and dance performances. Manitoba Dozens of people took the oath of citizenship and became Canadian citizens at different ceremonies across the province. "Becoming a Canadian means I have the opportunity to ... grow, to belong and to dream," Kelly Nguyen said at one such event in Winnipeg. "I promise to be a proud Canadian, to love and respect this country as I would to my motherland." Nova Scotia A citizenship ceremony also took place at the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax. New citizens received Canadian flags, took an oath and sang O Canada. Brad Pease, originally from Denmark, and his family were among the new Canadians. "We saw it as a great opportunity for us as a family. [It's] a beautiful place to live and lots of diversity and different experiences that we could have as a family," he said. WATCH | Joy, pride on full display at citizenship ceremony in Halifax: Joy, pride on full display at Canada Day citizenship ceremony in Halifax 1 hour ago Duration 1:53 Newfoundland and Labrador Crowds wearing red and white gathered at the top of Signal Hill, a national historic site that overlooks the St. John's harbour, for a sunrise ceremony. Sharon Hart, decked out in Canada-themed clothing, said she's been regularly celebrating at Signal Hill for 40 years, and it gives her a feeling of connection. "It's just so nice to come and see everybody," she said.
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Michael Pezzetta coming home to Maple Leafs on two-year deal
Michael Pezzetta, a Toronto-born left winger playing for the Montreal Canadiens, won't feel so disoriented now. In the Maple Leafs' first and perhaps only move when NHL free agency opened Tuesday, the 6-foot-1, 219-pound checking winger agreed to a two-year deal with a $785,500 AAV. With a dwindling salary cap after re-signing Matthew Knies and adding Nicolas Roy in the Mitch Marner trade, general manager Brad Treliving had about $5 million to play with, according to the salary cap web site Puckpedia. A sixth-round pick in 2016, he was Montreal's leader in hits for his two previous seasons prior to playing just 25 games last year when he still compiled 73. Points-wise, while getting as many as 52 in one OHL campaign, his most in the NHL were 15 in 63 games in '22-23. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. He did have a memorable shootout goal against the Buffalo Sabres that season, riding his stick in celebration in homage to former Leaf Tiger Williams. Pezzetta's arrival likely means the departure of Ryan Reaves, who ice time dwindled to the stage of being demoted to the Toronto Marlies. The 38-year-old Reaves has one year remaining at $1.35 million. Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Ottawa set to host Canada Day celebration with Prince Edward, Mark Carney
Ottawa's Canada Day ceremony will be getting the royal treatment today, with Prince Edward set to make a speech during a noon event at LeBreton Flats Park. Prime Minister Mark Carney is also expected to speak at the event on what is his first Canada Day since taking office in March. Canada Day this year coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag and the 45th anniversary of the official adoption of O Canada as the national anthem. The noon ceremony in Ottawa will also mark the 45th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Gov. Gen Mary Simon plans to invest six individuals into the Order of Canada during the ceremony, including actor Ryan Reynolds and musician Heather Rankin. The evening show in Ottawa will feature artists like Sarah McLachlan, Coeur de Pirate, Brenda Montana, Dear Rogue and Alex Wells. The Ottawa event is again taking place west of Parliament Hill in the LeBreton Flats area as Centre Block continues renovations that are scheduled to last another seven years. Other Canada Day ceremonies are happening across the country, including the Canada Together event in Vancouver and a celebration at Victoria Park in Charlottetown. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
