Marner excited for reunion with Domi on Maple Leafs

VAUGHAN, Ontario -- Mitch Marner's enthusiasm about the addition of Max Domi is based on personal history, not outside hype.

The signing of the gritty Domi to a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 3 was a popular move in the city where his dad, Tie, was a fan favorite while playing for the same organization from 1995-2006. As a boy, Max would often be seen in the Maple Leafs dressing room being mentored by the likes of Mats Sundin, Curtis Joseph and Tomas Kaberle.

For Marner, it is a reunion of two players who helped London of the Ontario Hockey League be a dominant force from 2013-15.

"It's great," Marner told NHL.com at the recent 2023 Marner All-Star Invitational charity event. "Max is a great player. But, just as important, he's a [heck] of a human being off the ice as well. I saw it firsthand in junior in both those cases. And it's going to be great for our team to have someone like that on it."

The 2014-15 regular season showcased the talents of both players, who each finished in the top 10 in OHL scoring and combined for 226 points. Marner finished second with 124 (42 goals, 82 assists), three behind Erie's Dylan Strome; Domi was ninth with 102 (32 goals, 70 assists).

Domi also had 66 penalty minutes that season, exhibiting that his game featured muscle as well as hustle. It's an ingredient Marner said Domi and fellow free agent additions Tyler Bertuzzi and Ryan Reaves bring to the Maple Leafs.

"All those guys bring different elements to the team but all are good along the walls," he said. "Max's playing abilities should match our system very well given how he plays the game, so we're pumped about it. We're excited to see how it works out with our team.

"It should be a lot of fun."

In a 1-on-1 interview with NHL.com, the 26-year-old discussed Toronto's elimination in five games to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the departure of general manager Kyle Dubas and the arrival of replacement Brad Treliving; his appearance on-stage with country music star Shania Twain; taking ball hockey shots with Formula 1 Red Bull race car driver Max Verstappen; his upcoming wedding; and his charity work.

Can you discuss how Max, Tyler and Ryan help forge a new look for the team?

"The thing is, obviously we brought in a lot of guys that throw their weight around, who aren't afraid to go to dirty areas and will do some crazy stuff out there. So we're excited. All three guys impact the game. And it gives us some flexibility in the lineup."

How much has this offseason been different, given the fact that your elimination of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference First Round was the team's first series win since 2004? And, at the same time, how much does it seem the same, since the team once again came up short in its bid for the Stanley Cup?

"It can go both ways. I mean, obviously we took a step in the right direction. But it's still disappointing that you didn't go nearly as far as you think you can go with your talent. It happens sometimes. There's nothing you can do about it now. So for us, or at least myself, it's just about getting back in the rhythm of things, getting my body ready to go for another full season, and try to play a lot of minutes."

Much was made of whether the so-called 'Core Four' of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares and yourself should be broken up because of perceived postseason failures by the group. It doesn't appear Treliving wants to break up the band, although Auston and William are entering the final year of their contracts. Rightly or wrongly, how do you four deal with having such responsibility and, hand in hand with that, the potential blame when expectations aren't met?

"Look, we want to take a lot of responsibility. Ya, we definitely have a lot of weight on our shoulders, but it's weight that we've all wanted and have asked for pretty much with what we do on the ice. At the same time, it's definitely a team sport, you need everyone out there, and we all know that we need to be better to achieve our ultimate goals. So there's nothing you can really do about it other than just kind of ignore the outside noise and know that everyone in that locker room appreciates each other."

You were recently posed the question involving if you'd help out in the contract negotiations involving Auston and William (if you were asked). You emphasized they're your friends, first and foremost. Talk about your relationship with them.

"I'm definitely their friend before a teammate. Both those guys, their friendships mean a lot to me. I'm looking forward to having them both at the wedding and having a good time with them. Obviously there's a business aspect of our life and hopefully everything works out. Both of them have a lot of passion and love for our team and know we can do something special here. But unless I really need to get involved, I'm going to try to sit back and just be a friend of both of them. I don't really want to be talking anything hockey with them too much. It's more about just how they're doing. How's your summer been? How's life going?"

You grew up in the Toronto area so you know all the things that go hand in hand with playing in the hockey fishbowl here. Even after producing 554 points (168 goals, 386 assists) in 507 games with the Maple Leafs, some critics still think you should be traded. Do things like that ever dampen your enthusiasm for playing for your hometown team?

"I think you can see the excitement and how much enjoyment I have, whether it's having fun around the rink or just wearing that jersey. I know there are more lovers than haters out there. Far more. The haters are just louder. There's nothing you can really do about that. There are people who are friends to your face but say a lot of things behind it. So for me, it's about staying away from all that stuff. I know our team loves each other. I know every guy in that locker room has a lot of trust in the guy beside him and the guy across from him. We've got a lot of joy and excitement in our locker room and that's what keeps you going."

What's been your take on how Brad Treliving has fared in his brief time as GM?

"He's done a great job so far. It's a new direction and we're all excited to get going and see how it plays out."

A couple of your high-profile teammates, John Tavares and Morgan Reilly, took time out to go on the ice with the kids as part of the Marner All-Star Celebrity Invitational. This is the fifth year of the event. The proceeds go to the Marner Assist Foundation, which aims to help kids' lives including children's social care, health and education. You've always had a soft spot for helping kids dating back to when you would make hospital visits to see them during your days in London. How special is this to you?

"It's something that involves a lot of passion, a lot of joy. It's something I always look forward to. Very fortunate that we're able to do it."

This event is part of a busy summer for you, one that included you and your fiancé Stephanie LaChance being called up on stage by country music star Shania Twain during a show here in Toronto last month. You were there with a youngster who won a contest through the Marner Assist Foundation, and Twain's charity, Shania Kids Can. You'd sent Shania a note saying how much Stephanie was a fan. How cool was that experience?

"Definitely a very cool moment. Shania's a Canadian icon. At first it was just both charities reaching out trying to do something together. And luckily enough, we were able to do something with her charity as she was with ours. So very fortunate that that all worked out. And then, we just figured we're going to the concert and thought nothing else of it. And next thing you know, we're going on stage. Stephanie is a huge Shania fan and had no idea it was going to play out that way. She was thrilled. Something we'll both remember for the rest of our lives."

Less than a week before the Shania show you were at the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, presenting Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez with Maple Leafs jerseys and teaching them how to shoot on a net. Verstappen looks to be en route to yet another drivers championship. What was that experience like?

"The guys were great. I was actually really surprised with how relaxed and calm they are. Really great people. I didn't know what it would be like on race weekend other than it's highly pressured. So it was cool for them to take time out of their busy schedule, because, especially for those guys, everything matters. Minute to minute. So it was just very cool to sit down with all of them, have a chat and just listen to their experiences. Obviously, what Max is doing on the racetrack is quite unbelievable right now. Another great moment."

Finally, you have another one of those coming up: your wedding.

"Very excited. We've spent a lot of fun planning. Gonna be a lot of fun that day and that whole weekend. So we're looking forward to celebrating with family and friends and you know, having a [heck] of a time."