MAPLE LEAFS OFFER SUPPORT FOR PRICE AT END OF MINI CAMP IN GRAVENHURST

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Maple Leafs players offered their support today for Canadiens goalie Carey Price.

The Toronto NHLers who wrapped up a three-day mini camp at the Graeme Murray arena this afternoon all offered the Habs great their best, including Mitch Marner and Jason Spezza who spoke briefly with the media after getting off the ice at 2 p.m. following their final skate.

“He’s one of the best in the game,” said Marner in wishing him well as Price took a health leave from the team after the Leafs game against them Tuesday.

Marner, who owns a cottage in Muskoka, is no stranger to Gravenhurst.

Nor is Spezza, whose wife is from Huntsville, and who said he spends “a lot of time” here.

Maple Leaf sniper Mitch Marner offered his team’s best to Carey Price today, calling him “one of the best” goalies in the NHL.

The Leafs also got in some golf — at Muskoka Bay — and a cruise on the Wenonah II during a regular bonding trip before their season home opener next Wednesday against Montreal.

The last time the Leafs camped in Gravenhurst was when Mats Sundin was captain and Pat Quinn the coach.

Among those skating was new U.S. Olympian Austin Matthews, who Marner and Spezza agreed their injured star looked in good out there.

But coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters Matthews “definitely” won’t be in the line-up tomorrow night in Toronto to the Ottawa Senators.

Keefe also took “about 15 minutes” to chat with Muskoka Shield team members and management, said local assistant GM Roy French.

As the Leafs left town headed for Toronto, the local Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) team was headed to Ville Marie, Quebec, for their 8 p.m. season opener, a more than three-and-a-half hour drive.

They’ll be back home after midnight for their home opener is tomorrow night in Gravenhurst at 7:30 p.m., where a limit of 150 spectators will be allowed to watch them play New Tecumseth.

The Leafs looked good engaging in fast-paced rushes up and down the ice at the Graeme Murray Arena in Gravenhurst Friday.

Working the corners and pressing hard for the puck is a big part of Leafs’ goal this season.
Action was fast and furious as players worked hard to make the final roster for next week’s season home opener Wednesday against Montreal.
End-to-end rushes were non-stop this afternoon as the Leafs closed a three-day mini camp in Gravenhurst.
Injured Leaf Auston Matthews was on the ice in today, but he won’t dress at home tomorrow night when Toronto hosts the Ottawa Senators.
Captain John Tavares, left, looked relaxed and ready for a full season after last year’s abbreviated schedule.
Mitch Marner will be a big part of the Leafs as he looks to help lead the team back to the playoffs.
Final scrimmages showed the Leafs will stop at nothing around the net to win more NHL games this season.
The last time the Leafs were in Gravenhurst was when Mats Sundin was captain and Pat Quinn was coach.
Veteran Jason Spezza was all smiles today before tomorrow night’s game against his old team the Ottawa Senators.
Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe says the trip was as much about “watching how players get along as it was how they played.” And he thinks they did both well.
Leafs fans lined up with their phones at the ready to record their favourite team’s comings and goings.
Muskoka Shield management, coach Tim ‘Ace’ Bailey, left, GM Alex Magi, assistant GM Roy French and player Dylan Henri head out for their home opener tonight.
Shield players board the bus to Ville Marie, Quebec, for an 8 p.m. start tonight. They’ll be back to Gravenhurst for their home opener Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

EMAIL: [email protected]

28 years of ‘Local Online Journalism’

Twitter: @muskokatoday, Facebook: mclairmont1

Leave comments at end of story

SUBSCRIBE for $25 by e-transferring to [email protected]

Or go online to https://muskokatoday.com/subscriptions