Q&A with Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner

Thestar.com
June 16, 2018
Kevin McGran

 

Mitch Marner is starting to show his charitable side. The Maple Leafs forward is launching the Marner All-Star Invitational, a hockey skills event to raise funds for the Marner Assist Fund, which supports the social care, health care and education of children. The event is highlighted by on-ice testing at the Sports Village in Vaughan on July 27, when those who donate to participate get one-on-one coaching and then a chance to test their skills. On July 26 at Noir at Rebel, a Toronto nightclub, 25 teams of four will be selected, including one celebrity a side. The Star had a chat with Marner about his new venture and, of course, all things Leafs:

Why is this important to you?

It’s something to help. For me, taking care of kids is important, making sure kids get what they need. The money we make is going to help a bunch of different charities. I don’t really care how I’m remembered in hockey. It’s more how you’re remembered off the ice.

What do you think now that Kyle Dubas is running the show?

He’s made a lot of great teams: in the Soo, the Marlies. We’re hungry to win. It’s an important year for us. Last year, we made it to the playoffs. But where it finished, we weren’t happy. We expect more from ourselves.

Will you miss Lou Lamoriello and all his rules?

Ha. Lou, everyone knows him as a real hard (guy), but he was great with me. Obviously every person needs to get straightened up a couple of times, and he was really good at doing that. At the same time, he was really supportive with how he spoke to you. He’s built a lot of championship teams. He knew what it took. He knew how to make his best players play, and that’s where he helped with us the most.

Will you miss Mark Hunter, your GM from London?

I’ve known him a long time. You never know, but he might have been the reason I was drafted by Toronto. Wherever he goes, he’s going to do great things.

Are you ready for all the contract stuff, especially if a deal is not done this summer?

Nothing has been said yet, but nothing you can do. If nothing happens, you still have a year to play under your rookie contract. Just go out there and try to prove you can make the team better.

How’s Auston Matthews doing?

He’s good. We’re excited about getting back, getting the season going again. He’s been doing great. It’s going to be exciting next year.

Do you think too much was made of Mike Babcock meeting Auston Matthews in Scottsdale, Ariz., after the playoffs?

Coaches and players need to have relationships. Babs is one of the most respected coaches around the world. I think people are overthinking it. I don’t think anything crazy of it. A coach meeting with a player, it happens all the time. Players and coaches meet.

Has he been in touch with you?

I talk to him quite a bit. He’s just making sure we’re ready to take another step forward and make sure we know we expect more from ourselves.

Are you back skating?

No. I’m just at my usual gym in Vaughan. On-ice skating, my buddy’s a goalie, so I’m going to go with him every week and shoot on him. Going to start skating soon, I think.
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