For Mitch Marner, the decision to leave Toronto was all about family.
The 28-year-old forward approved a sign-and-trade from the Maple Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights on July 1.
“It’s going to be a new life. I’m really excited for it,” Marner said Thursday at Hockey Canada’s 2025 National Teams Orientation Camp. “Having the newborn now, my wife and I are very social, we like going out for dinners, we like being out with our friends, we like being around our teammates. It was tough to do that in Toronto.
The move also allows Marner more privacy off the ice. Toronto, where he was selected fourth overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, often felt like a “fishbowl” in his words. Despite producing 741 points (221 goals, 520 assists) in 657 games over nine seasons, the Leafs’ playoff shortcomings remained a constant backdrop.
As part of the deal, Marner signed an eight-year, $96 million contract ($12 million AAV) with Toronto before being traded for forward Nicolas Roy. He admitted the move was “bittersweet.”
“We wanted to finish the job there, we really did, but at the same time, we wanted to do what’s best for our family and we thought it was changing our direction of life,” Marner said. “I was so grateful for everything in Toronto. I grew up in Toronto, I knew what Toronto was all about. All I did for 15 years was wake up, put TSN on and watch the Leafs … You know what you’re getting into and that’s the passion nonstop.”
