Latest news with #Pezzetta
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Michael Pezzetta signs $1.625M deal with Maple Leafs, recalls tough fights with Ryan Reaves
Michael Pezzetta on past battles with Ryan Reaves (Image via: getty Images) The Toronto Maple Leafs made a gritty addition in the 2025 NHL free agency by signing former Montreal Canadiens winger Michael Pezzetta. The 26-year-old agreed to a two-year, $1.625 million contract with the Leafs, bringing toughness, energy, and a physical presence to Toronto's bottom-six forward group. Michael Pezzetta talks respect for Reaves and past on-ice battles Speaking on The JD Bunkis Podcast, Pezzetta opened up about his past encounters with Ryan Reaves, one of the NHL's most respected enforcers. Pezzetta acknowledged that Reaves won both of their fights, pointing to his opponent's skill and experience in handling physical confrontations. 'He's a really technical fighter,' Pezzetta said. 'Both times, he got the upper hand in those fights.' Their most recent fight occurred on April 6, 2024, after Pezzetta delivered a hit on Leafs center David Kämpf. Reaves wasted no time stepping in. What followed was a flurry of punches from Reaves, ultimately leaving Pezzetta off-balance before officials stopped the fight. Ryan Reaves Michael Pezzetta Fight (FULL CLIP) Canadiens vs Maple Leafs | NHL Highlights Despite being on the losing end of those encounters, Pezzetta holds Reaves in high regard. 'He definitely stacks up close to the top. He's a guy I respect a lot. He's gone through it, played a lot of games, and stayed in the league a long time,' Pezzetta said, praising the veteran enforcer's longevity and toughness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like So sánh mức trượt giá: Hợp đồng tương lai (CFD) Bitcoin vs Ethereum IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Pezzetta, known for his hard-nosed play, spent the past four seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. The 6-foot-1 winger suited up for 25 games last season and has totaled 38 points over 200 career NHL games. While not a major offensive contributor, his role as a spark plug and fighter has made him a fan favorite. With Toronto, Pezzetta is expected to bring energy to the fourth line, add depth to the forward group, and stand up for teammates when needed. His past run-ins with Reaves now turn into a storyline of mutual respect, especially as the two could share a locker room—or potentially meet again if Reaves lands elsewhere. Also Read: Reaves vs. Kane: Ryan Reaves rips Evander Kane as NHL's most overhyped enforcer in ongoing feud For Maple Leafs fans craving physicality, Pezzetta's signing signals a commitment to tougher, grittier hockey heading into the 2025–26 season. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Calgary Herald
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Michael Pezzetta knows the road to a job with Leafs will be hard
Article content Before Michael Pezzetta gets in one regular-season fight on behalf of his Maple Leaf teammates, he'll have to battle his way onto the team. Article content That's not news to the 6-foot-1 left winger, whose playing time with the Montreal Canadiens was limited last year, getting no points in 25 games with 24 penalty minutes. But sitting around his old room while contract details were being ironed out this week, he paused to look at his Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph Toronto-era posters. Article content 'I'm thinking 'how crazy is this?,' Pezzetta said Wednesday on a Zoom call with Toronto media. 'It's a life-long dream of mine. First-time free agency and I had the option to go elsewhere, but couldn't pass this up. Article content Article content 'They have a great team and I want to earn my roster spot. I know that come camp time, it's not just a given that I have a spot. The style of game I play is different than a lot of the guys and hopefully that can be an 'X' factor.' Article content A couple of years ago, Pezzetta led the Canadiens in hits and was 10th in the NHL as well as chipping in points. But while Montreal made strides as a team in 2024-25, and Pezzetta did well defensively, he found it hard to get noticed. Article content 'Kind of a weird year, being in and out of the lineup with nothing really going my way,' he said. 'In years prior, I was pretty steady getting my 10 to 15 points and I'm confident I can do that again. Article content Article content 'Part of my game is being someone who is hard to play against, defensively responsible, whom the coach can trust. But then you're going out there and try to change the game with a big hit or a good forecheck, change the energy, on the bench and in the room.' Article content Article content The sixth-round pick in 2016 says he's always been a big off-season worker in terms of conditioning and improving any weak parts of his game. Article content Article content 'It wasn't easy, it took five or six years to get in my first exhibition game with Montreal. But when I did, I was ready for it because I put in all the work.' Article content A couple of his 14 NHL fights came against warhorse Ryan Reaves, now a potential teammate whom he'll likely have to contend with for a bottom six role. Article content 'No hard feelings,' Pezzetta assured. 'A few guys have to do their job and any time you meet guys like that off the ice, they tend to be the nicest. I look forward to meeting him and all the rest of the guys.' Article content After the two-year deal at an $810,500 AAV, the GTHL grad Pezzetta posted an Instagram picture of he and his brother as kids, decked out in Toronto togs. Article content 'We were a Leafs household. That was our first Christmas getting our Leafs' jerseys. It's hard not to get stoked about playing for the Leafs when you're from Toronto. My mom is super-stoked that I get to stay home. It has been a while.' Article content
Edmonton Journal
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Michael Pezzetta knows the road to a job with Leafs will be hard
Article content Before Michael Pezzetta gets in one regular-season fight on behalf of his Maple Leaf teammates, he'll have to battle his way onto the team. Article content That's not news to the 6-foot-1 left winger, whose playing time with the Montreal Canadiens was limited last year, getting no points in 25 games with 24 penalty minutes. But sitting around his old room while contract details were being ironed out this week, he paused to look at his Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph Toronto-era posters. Article content 'I'm thinking 'how crazy is this?,' Pezzetta said Wednesday on a Zoom call with Toronto media. 'It's a life-long dream of mine. First-time free agency and I had the option to go elsewhere, but couldn't pass this up. Article content Article content 'They have a great team and I want to earn my roster spot. I know that come camp time, it's not just a given that I have a spot. The style of game I play is different than a lot of the guys and hopefully that can be an 'X' factor.' Article content A couple of years ago, Pezzetta led the Canadiens in hits and was 10th in the NHL as well as chipping in points. But while Montreal made strides as a team in 2024-25, and Pezzetta did well defensively, he found it hard to get noticed. Article content 'Kind of a weird year, being in and out of the lineup with nothing really going my way,' he said. 'In years prior, I was pretty steady getting my 10 to 15 points and I'm confident I can do that again. Article content Article content 'Part of my game is being someone who is hard to play against, defensively responsible, whom the coach can trust. But then you're going out there and try to change the game with a big hit or a good forecheck, change the energy, on the bench and in the room.' Article content The sixth-round pick in 2016 says he's always been a big off-season worker in terms of conditioning and improving any weak parts of his game. Article content Article content 'It wasn't easy, it took five or six years to get in my first exhibition game with Montreal. But when I did, I was ready for it because I put in all the work.' Article content A couple of his 14 NHL fights came against warhorse Ryan Reaves, now a potential teammate whom he'll likely have to contend with for a bottom six role. Article content 'No hard feelings,' Pezzetta assured. 'A few guys have to do their job and any time you meet guys like that off the ice, they tend to be the nicest. I look forward to meeting him and all the rest of the guys.' Article content After the two-year deal at an $810,500 AAV, the GTHL grad Pezzetta posted an Instagram picture of he and his brother as kids, decked out in Toronto togs. Article content 'We were a Leafs household. That was our first Christmas getting our Leafs' jerseys. It's hard not to get stoked about playing for the Leafs when you're from Toronto. My mom is super-stoked that I get to stay home. It has been a while.' Article content
Vancouver Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Michael Pezzetta knows the road to a job with Leafs will be hard
Before Michael Pezzetta gets in one regular-season fight on behalf of his Maple Leaf teammates, he'll have to battle his way onto the team. That's not news to the 6-foot-1 left winger, whose playing time with the Montreal Canadiens was limited last year, getting no points in 25 games with 24 penalty minutes. But sitting around his old room while contract details were being ironed out this week, he paused to look at his Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph Toronto-era posters. 'I'm thinking 'how crazy is this?,' Pezzetta said Wednesday on a Zoom call with Toronto media. 'It's a life-long dream of mine. First-time free agency and I had the option to go elsewhere, but couldn't pass this up. 'They have a great team and I want to earn my roster spot. I know that come camp time, it's not just a given that I have a spot. The style of game I play is different than a lot of the guys and hopefully that can be an 'X' factor.' 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. A couple of years ago, Pezzetta led the Canadiens in hits and was 10th in the NHL as well as chipping in points. But while Montreal made strides as a team in 2024-25, and Pezzetta did well defensively, he found it hard to get noticed. 'Kind of a weird year, being in and out of the lineup with nothing really going my way,' he said. 'In years prior, I was pretty steady getting my 10 to 15 points and I'm confident I can do that again. 'Part of my game is being someone who is hard to play against, defensively responsible, whom the coach can trust. But then you're going out there and try to change the game with a big hit or a good forecheck, change the energy, on the bench and in the room.' The sixth-round pick in 2016 says he's always been a big off-season worker in terms of conditioning and improving any weak parts of his game. 'It wasn't easy, it took five or six years to get in my first exhibition game with Montreal. But when I did, I was ready for it because I put in all the work.' A couple of his 14 NHL fights came against warhorse Ryan Reaves, now a potential teammate whom he'll likely have to contend with for a bottom six role. 'No hard feelings,' Pezzetta assured. 'A few guys have to do their job and any time you meet guys like that off the ice, they tend to be the nicest. I look forward to meeting him and all the rest of the guys.' After the two-year deal at an $810,500 AAV, the GTHL grad Pezzetta posted an Instagram picture of he and his brother as kids, decked out in Toronto togs. 'We were a Leafs household. That was our first Christmas getting our Leafs' jerseys. It's hard not to get stoked about playing for the Leafs when you're from Toronto. My mom is super-stoked that I get to stay home. It has been a while.' Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby
Toronto Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Michael Pezzetta knows the road to a job with Leafs will be hard
Before Michael Pezzetta gets in one regular-season fight on behalf of his Maple Leaf teammates, he'll have to battle his way onto the team. That's not news to the 6-foot-1 left winger, whose playing time with the Montreal Canadiens was limited last year, getting no points in 25 games with 24 penalty minutes. But sitting around his old room while contract details were being ironed out this week, he paused to look at his Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph Toronto-era posters. 'I'm thinking 'how crazy is this?,' Pezzetta said Wednesday on a Zoom call with Toronto media. 'It's a life-long dream of mine. First-time free agency and I had the option to go elsewhere, but couldn't pass this up. 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 'They have a great team and I want to earn my roster spot. I know that come camp time, it's not just a given that I have a spot. The style of game I play is different than a lot of the guys and hopefully that can be an 'X' factor.' A couple of years ago, Pezzetta led the Canadiens in hits and was 10th in the NHL as well as chipping in points. But while Montreal made strides as a team in 2024-25, and Pezzetta did well defensively, he found it hard to get noticed. 'Kind of a weird year, being in and out of the lineup with nothing really going my way,' he said. 'In years prior, I was pretty steady getting my 10 to 15 points and I'm confident I can do that again. 'Part of my game is being someone who is hard to play against, defensively responsible, whom the coach can trust. But then you're going out there and try to change the game with a big hit or a good forecheck, change the energy, on the bench and in the room.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The sixth-round pick in 2016 says he's always been a big off-season worker in terms of conditioning and improving any weak parts of his game. 'It wasn't easy, it took five or six years to get in my first exhibition game with Montreal. But when I did, I was ready for it because I put in all the work.' A couple of his 14 NHL fights came against warhorse Ryan Reaves, now a potential teammate whom he'll likely have to contend with for a bottom six role. 'No hard feelings,' Pezzetta assured. 'A few guys have to do their job and any time you meet guys like that off the ice, they tend to be the nicest. I look forward to meeting him and all the rest of the guys.' After the two-year deal at an $810,500 AAV, the GTHL grad Pezzetta posted an Instagram picture of he and his brother as kids, decked out in Toronto togs. 'We were a Leafs household. That was our first Christmas getting our Leafs' jerseys. It's hard not to get stoked about playing for the Leafs when you're from Toronto. My mom is super-stoked that I get to stay home. It has been a while.' Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Read More Sports News Money News MLB Editorial Cartoons
