Maple Leafs' Latest Addition Reacts to Trade from Sharks in New Interview
Photo credit: The Hockey News
Toronto's newest defenseman Henry Thrun gave his first interview since being traded to the Maple Leafs, and seemed excited to start the newest chapter of his career.
It was a deal that surprised many the Maple Leafs acquired young defenseman Henry Thrun from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for veteran enforcer Ryan Reaves.
The trade allows Reaves to get his 1,000 regular season game milestone a bit easier, and gives the Maple Leafs not only an out on his deal, but a promising young blueliner.
Henry Thrun ready to make an impact in Toronto
It's not the flashiest move by any means, but there are certainly a lot of positives that Thrun brings to the team.
Speaking to reporters in his first media interview since being acquired, he seemed excited to get things going:
I'm excited to be a two-way defenceman. I think I'm reliable in most situations on the ice.
I think that's one of my best assets, being versatile, being used on special teams, being used up and down throughout the lineup. There's a lot that I feel I want to show and improve.
I think that's one of my best assets, being versatile, being used on special teams, being used up and down throughout the lineup. There's a lot that I feel I want to show and improve.
Thrun explained that he got the call while he was watching Top Gun (original or remake undetermined), echoing Toronto's ability to have players contacted at the wildest times (Rylan Fellinger got drafted during his prom):
It was a total surprise. I was just watching a movie, watching Top Gun. I got a call from Mike Grier.
He broke the news to me, so it was definitely surprising. When he told me where I was traded, it was definitely a nice way for that phone call to wrap up, knowing that I'm going to a city like Toronto.
Just knowing the history and the success the team has had over the past couple of years, but obviously the end goal is still in sight. I know there's more to push for, but it definitely was pretty exciting to know where I was going to end up.
He broke the news to me, so it was definitely surprising. When he told me where I was traded, it was definitely a nice way for that phone call to wrap up, knowing that I'm going to a city like Toronto.
Just knowing the history and the success the team has had over the past couple of years, but obviously the end goal is still in sight. I know there's more to push for, but it definitely was pretty exciting to know where I was going to end up.
One for all, and all for Thrun
The Southborough, Massachusetts native grew up admiring a team that would bring shivers to Leafs fans spines, that being the Boston Bruins; and his favorite to watch growing up was someone who haunted Toronto his entire career: Zdeno Chara.
He will be continuing to wear his preferred #3, a number that Chara wore predominately in his career, and while he might not be the towering force that the Czech defender was; Thrun plays like it.
Certainly not the level of Chara, the young defender is still 6'2, 215 pounds and loves to hit, isn't afraid to block shots and will let it fly from the point when need be.
Thrun actually got his first goal against the Maple Leafs, albeit in a 7-1 drubbing, and made it count too, scoring it on the power play.
While he's not going to slot into the top-six defenders for Toronto, he can certainly make a case to battle Dakota Mermis and Philippe Myers for the 7th spot in the lineup.
Thrun, 24, has the potential to be a solid two-way defenseman and has a keen eye for playmaking, though needs to play more and with better talent to maximize his offensive capabilities:
I think for me, an aspect of my game that probably hasn't shined yet at the NHL level is my ability to move the puck.
That was my calling card in junior and college. Playing in San Jose, I was very fortunate to get a chance to break in there and play a bunch of games and a lot of minutes.
At times, it's a little challenging to be put in positions to move the puck and be involved, and obviously there's a lot of defending which I was able to get some experience with that.
That was my calling card in junior and college. Playing in San Jose, I was very fortunate to get a chance to break in there and play a bunch of games and a lot of minutes.
At times, it's a little challenging to be put in positions to move the puck and be involved, and obviously there's a lot of defending which I was able to get some experience with that.
With San Jose last season, he had 12 points in 60 games (2 goals, 10 assists) while adding 66 blocks and 43 hits for a struggling Sharks team.
He may not be Chara in appearance or on the ice, but if Henry Thrun can translate that style of play into his own version, then Toronto is going to have a very bright player waiting to break out.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 14 | 1285 ANSWERS Maple Leafs' Latest Addition Reacts to Trade from Sharks in New Interview Do you think Henry Thrun will play for the Maple Leafs in the 2025-26 season? | ||
| Yes | 831 | 64.7 % |
| No | 454 | 35.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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