Latest news with #HayleyWickenheiser
New York Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Prospect Tyler Hopkins' familiar comparable is a great sign for Maple Leafs' future
Tyler Hopkins's freckled cheeks perk up as he grins. The Toronto Maple Leafs' 2025 third-round pick is growing accustomed to hearing a certain comparison, and the more he hears it, the happier he becomes. Born in Campbellville, Ontario, the Kingston Frontenacs centre is a Leafs fan and watched Fraser Minten this season. Through 15 games, Minten looked at home in his second NHL call-up, scoring two goals and providing a reliable presence at both ends of the ice. Advertisement The more Hopkins watched Minten, the more the 18-year-old saw his own IQ-driven, 200-foot game reflected in Minten's play. He sees shades of himself in Minten because of a trait that could be the key to both of their NHL futures: 'You can trust him in all situations.' And the more the comparison emerges, the more sense Hopkins makes as a Leafs draft pick. The Leafs sent Minten, now on the cusp of becoming a full-time NHL centre, to the Boston Bruins at last season's trade deadline. The trade left Toronto lacking reliable, young centre prospects. Enter Hopkins. The intelligent 6-foot-1 centre impressed during development camp this month —'He stood out because of his hockey sense,' Leafs assistant GM Hayley Wickenheiser said — and continued to show glimpses of replacing Minten as one of the Leafs' centres of the future. Tyler Hopkins was taken No. 4 overall in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. But his first year as an OHL player in 2023-24 years presented hurdles. In a limited role on an aging Frontenacs team, Hopkins scored just six goals in 59 games. Plus/minus is a divisive stat, but his team-worst -20 still stuck out. The pace of play in the OHL was difficult for Hopkins to handle. 'Like a lot of 16-year-olds coming into the league, he didn't really appreciate how good the league was,' Frontenacs assistant coach Chris Longo said. Was Hopkins in over his head? Would he become one of the countless teenagers who could not adapt to the next level of hockey? The opposite, actually. Hopkins' self-awareness illuminated the hockey smarts that could propel him even further. Despite being a point producer before heading into the OHL, Hopkins discovered he would have to become something different. It's a learning experience players sometimes don't have until they're flirting with the NHL. Advertisement In Hopkins' case, learning to be a defensively-responsible centre put him ahead of the curve. 'I was thrown into that bottom-six role where you've got to play defence. That's what you're there to do, that's what I needed to do for the team to be successful, so I took that role,' Hopkins said. Paul Ludwinski, an all-effort and detail-oriented centre three years his senior, took the first-year OHL player under his wing and taught Hopkins how to be responsible on the ice. Sensing that a role was there for the taking the following season, Hopkins seized the opportunity. He began acting like a professional in the way not every teenager in the OHL will. He craved video explanations from his coaches on how to improve. Hopkins saw the benefit of patience in his game with the puck. He watched clips of Ludwinski at both the OHL and the AHL level. He saw how a detail-oriented game, whether that's proper stick positioning or how to support players and the puck, could help him be effective in the OHL and make the jump to professional hockey. Hopkins' efforts were reminiscent of Minten's NHL work at an early age. Hopkins showed he could be trusted by coaches early in his second OHL season, just as he might be able to be trusted at the pro level. That trust led to increased ice time and special-teams opportunities. '(Hopkins) is real coachable in terms of where you want him on the ice. He was arguably our best breakout centreman,' Frontenacs head coach Troy Mann said. Mann, it's worth noting, has nine years of head coaching experience at the AHL level. Like the rest of the Frontenacs coaching staff, Mann sees pro traits in Hopkins already. 'Monday is usually our off day in Kingston and (Hopkins) is a kid who, after school, will come in and put extra work in,' Mann said. 'He's motivated that way.' Advertisement 'I think he's a leader right now with how he supports the puck,' Longo said. 'Whether he's defending and he's a second layer, a third layer, or when we do have possession, he is in the middle of the ice, under the blue paint, always becoming an option. (Hopkins) doesn't cheat or blow the zone. He has really evolved in that portion of the game.' The way Hopkins' coaches describe him makes him sound less like a player early in his second OHL season and more like a player in their second season of the NHL. Hopkins' intelligence allowed him to develop a professional demeanor. '(Hopkins) is willing to ask questions and wants to learn. If he realizes that, 'OK, I'm not scoring,' he asks out loud, 'OK, well, why is that?' He's going to come into the office and say 'Let's look at it on video' because he can feel in his game (improving that way),' Longo said. 'I'm not going to hound him. When he's ready for video, he's very mature about it. For a 17-, 18-year-old, he could take constructive criticism very well.' Hopkins turned that constructive criticism into an impressive draft season. His ice time nearly doubled. Hopkins' quick and powerful stride allowed him to break pucks out and command the neutral zone. On the other side of the puck, he continued to show pro-ready habits. The Leafs scouts could have easily taken Hopkins in the second round and shook hands afterward with a job well done. Hopkins was ranked across multiple public draft boards as a possible second-round pick, and drafting a centre filled a positional need for the Leafs. But Hopkins being selected in the third round should not be seen as an indictment on his NHL future. What he established this season not only gives him a chance to play NHL games, it makes him the top centre in the Leafs prospect pool: wheels that can generate chances on the rush, trust from the coaching staff because of his ability to improve and defensive ability that can keep the opposition off the scoreboard. Those are tools the Leafs will always need, especially a few years down the road if Hopkins continues to develop. 'I had a couple scouts tell me Hopkins was one of the best defensive centres in the whole draft,' Mann said. Mann will almost certainly rely even more heavily on Hopkins next season. He'll log minutes on the first line and top power-play unit, likely alongside touted Calgary Flames prospect and goal scorer Jacob Battaglia. Not unlike Minten, the next stage of Hopkins' game will have to emerge in the tail end of his junior career: turning his smarts and playmaking ability into more production. Advertisement Right now, his defensive know-how and responsible on-ice traits could see him possibly progress to a fourth-line NHL centre role. To push into middle-six territory, Hopkins will need to become more dangerous in new areas of the ice. The Frontenacs coaching staff want him to start transporting the puck towards the blue paint more and become more creative with the puck in the offensive zone and, especially behind the goal. Throughout development camp, Hopkins' playmaking and speed stood out. Now, he'll have to translate those elements of his game to the OHL and beyond. Hopkins likely has two more years of junior hockey left. After scoring 20 goals and 51 points in 67 games, adding offensive tools and pushing point-per-game production could bolster Hopkins' NHL chances that much more. 'He does not necessarily have to be daring out there with the puck, but he doesn't always have to make the safe play, right? Maybe it's finding the guy in the slot, or trusting his speed and getting to the inside a little bit,' Mann said. 'There's kids that are timid who won't go to the blue paint. He's not.' That attitude could help him through a possible professional career. The Leafs continue to need centres down the road. They'll also need players who have the interest in playing in Toronto and the maturity to handle the expectations that come with being a Leaf. Having grown up a Leafs fan and wanting to play in Toronto, those expectations don't seem to faze Hopkins one bit. In fact, they're part of what's driving him forward as a possible Leafs centre to watch in the future. 'I know I have the ability,' Hopkins said, 'I just need to go out there and prove that.'
National Post
05-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Some young Maple Leafs prospects already know that championship feeling
Too many Maple Leafs have been on the losing end of a handshake line, versus raising a title trophy. Article content For a few players at development camp this week, the thrill of victory has already trumped the agony of defeat, which is great if you believe that winning is contagious. Article content Article content Easton Cowan's London Knights came back from a crushing loss in the 2024 Memorial Cup final to hoist it in June, along with camp invites Landon Sim and Andoni Fimis. Cowan, Toronto's coveted first round pick in 2023, netted the Cup-winner against Medicine Hat. Article content Article content And there's Owen Michaels, whose double-overtime goal put his home state Western Michigan Broncos into the NCAA title game where he scored twice in the 6-2 final against Boston University. Article content 'When you win, go through that grind of playoffs, that's something you can't teach,' said Hayley Wickenheiser, Leafs assistant general manager, player development and a women's world and Olympic gold medalist. Article content 'I've never been through seven games repeated, but in the Olympics, the grind of getting there, being able to win and take it over the top like that, those are things that stick with you as an athlete and as a person forever. Article content 'So, whenever we get people in here who've won, we know that's a quality we can't just give them. They have an advantage over everyone else.' Article content Cowan is still basking in the Cup and the leadership role it provided, making him the big man on campus at this camp of 48 prospects. Article content 'When the games got bigger, I got better,' Cowan said. 'There are a lot of people watching and high stakes. Article content Article content 'It's awesome. The experience of winning helps so much — and to do it with that group, that team.' Article content Article content He was just as thrilled to get congratulatory texts from Leafs captains Auston Matthews and John Tavares, who remembered him battling hard for a job at the last two NHL training camps and sure to again in September. Article content Michaels, a 6-foot-2 right winger, was off the draft radar as he didn't start at Western Michigan until age 21, after playing junior in the U.S. Midwest. But his 36 points in 42 games last season sparked conversations with the Leafs around December and his Frozen Four heroics sealed the invite. Article content 'I'm super appreciative of management inviting me here,' Michaels said. 'I feel I've earned this chance.'
National Post
03-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Wild horses will drag Leafs away from the ice at development camp
After all the horse analogies we've heard in the world of hockey, Maple Leaf prospects are about to experience the real thing. Article content The club is arranging a demonstration with a wild colt and an elite trainer on Friday for the 48 prospects at its development camp. Article content Article content 'It's to talk about how you handle emotions and go through handling pressure in tricky situations,' said Hayley Wickenheiser, the club's assistant general manager, player development. Article content 'It's going to be interesting,' she added with a laugh, assuring 'the horse won't be on the ice and no one is getting on the horse.' Article content Wickenheiser said she and player development director Danielle Goyette came up with the idea when discussing how to make the off-ice portion of the five-day camp more interesting and educational. Jeff Davis a clinician based in Farmington, Ark., will conduct the session. Article content 'Of course, Shane Doan (special advisor to GM Brad Treliving) thought it was a great idea, too, being from the farm,' Wickenheiser said. Article content Wickenheiser already hosted a group discussion of managing pressure and performance, which she saw as vital given the Toronto spotlight on players and challenges such as social media and the jump to pro. Guest speakers from the Leafs' family this week include head coach Craig Berube, former captain Wendel Clark and recently retired defenceman Mark Giordano. Article content
Toronto Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Wild horses will drag Leafs away from the ice at development camp
The Toronto Maple Leafs are arranging a demonstration with a wild colt and an elite trainer for development camp prospects on July 4, 2025. Photo by John Lappa / Postmedia Network After all the horse analogies we've heard in the world of hockey, Maple Leaf prospects are about to experience the real thing. 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 The club is arranging a demonstration with a wild colt and an elite trainer on Friday for the 48 prospects at its development camp. 'It's to talk about how you handle emotions and go through handling pressure in tricky situations,' said Hayley Wickenheiser, the club's assistant general manager, player development. 'It's going to be interesting,' she added with a laugh, assuring 'the horse won't be on the ice and no one is getting on the horse.' Wickenheiser said she and player development director Danielle Goyette came up with the idea when discussing how to make the off-ice portion of the five-day camp more interesting and educational. Jeff Davis a clinician based in Farmington, Ark., will conduct the session. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Of course, Shane Doan (special advisor to GM Brad Treliving) thought it was a great idea, too, being from the farm,' Wickenheiser said. Wickenheiser already hosted a group discussion of managing pressure and performance, which she saw as vital given the Toronto spotlight on players and challenges such as social media and the jump to pro. Guest speakers from the Leafs' family this week include head coach Craig Berube, former captain Wendel Clark and recently retired defenceman Mark Giordano. Giordano has been taking an active role at the camp, though Wickenheiser deferred to Treliving as to whether he eventually joins the hockey office. Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby World Editorial Cartoons Movies Sports Money News
Montreal Gazette
26-06-2025
- Montreal Gazette
Opinion: Timing couldn't be better for Canada Strong Pass
Op Eds When I was in school, the holy grail of graduation was a Eurail Pass. In 1990, the fabled Youthpass bought two months of unlimited train travel for US$500. The idea of exploring 17 countries on a shoestring budget loomed large in our imaginations. All you needed was a Lonely Planet guide and a maple leaf prominently sewn on your backpack. Recent cohorts have come of age with a mixed bag of social isolation and missed milestones. It may not be possible to make up for those lost experiences, but there's no better way to build new memories than through the magic of travel. Unfortunately for young travellers, European capitals may no longer be the welcoming hosts they once were. In several cities this month, fed-up residents protested overtourism by squirting tourists with water guns. On the sunny side, we have infinitely varied opportunities to explore right here at home. The new Canada Strong Pass, which launched last week, offers free admission to a vast network of national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada. The deal, running until Sept. 2, is open to Canadians and foreign visitors. The pass has more deals just for youth on Via Rail, with discounts on economy fares for young adults 18 to 24 and free rides for those under 18 accompanied by an adult, plus discounts at museums and galleries. The simplest ideas are often the best. There's no physical pass or pre-registration; you just show up and claim your discount. Free travel for minors will make family vacations more accessible. Meanwhile, young adults can plan horizon-broadening experiences that don't include a hostile encounter with a Super Soaker. A tremendous sense of pride and possibility comes with exploring our own country from coast to coast to coast. Eight years ago, Canadians responded enthusiastically when Parks Canada waived fees at all national parks for the country's 150th anniversary. Similarly, the new pass couldn't be better timed. Canadians have shown impressive solidarity in response to U.S. tariff aggression and taunts about annexation. We've been ghosting our neighbour like a creepy date. Mirroring the trajectory of democratic norms, travel to the U.S. has declined for five straight months, with cross-border return car trips down a whopping 38 per cent in May, compared with a year ago. The push to keep travel local also resonates with the patriotic overtones of other buy-Canadian messaging. In a public service campaign for the Pro Canada Project, which hit the airwaves in February, homegrown talents from Hayley Wickenheiser to Peter Mansbridge advise listeners to 'shop as if your country depends on it.' As families embark on their summer getaways, hockey season may be over, but Canadians are keeping their elbows up. Canada Strong offers another motto for the times, perhaps with a little more gravitas. It conveys a country prepared to defend itself from military or economic aggression; proud, not perfect; and definitely not broken. It also resonates for what it's not. It's Canada Strong, not Canada First, a slogan that always jangled against our reputation as polite and unassuming. Parallels to the current bout of America First isolationism didn't sit well, nor did echoes of ugly precursors from the first half of the 20th century. Canadian travellers once relied on the maple leaf to save us from the disdain reserved for Americans abroad, who — fairly or otherwise — often have been perceived as brash and culturally ignorant. Now, as then, the maple leaf is a powerful reminder of our distinct strength and love of country.
