Maple Leafs' New Goalie Has an Unexpected Family Connection in Toronto

As Cayden Primeau begins his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs after playing his entire career prior with rivals Montreal, family ties play a part in his path.

The son of former NHLer Keith Primeau, Primeau also has a connection to Toronto from Keith's brother, Wayne, who also played in the NHL and played his final season with the Leafs.

A former NHL All-Star, Keith spent 15 seasons in the National Hockey League, being both a capable goalscorer and fighter, Wayne also playing 15 seasons and ending his career in Toronto in 2009-10.

Both forwards, Cayden took to the net, and is hoping that the net can be his in Toronto if all can go right with the Leafs this season.

Cayden Primeau brings a familial tinge to his debut, and it's one that brings an emotion to the moment for the Primeau family.

The elder Primeau only played a year in Toronto at the tail end of his career, but the Primeau family grew up Leafs fans, giving obvious ties for the family to cheer even harder for their second generation NHLer making a start in net for the family's team.

Although from a Canadian family that was raised in Ontario, Primeau, born in Michigan, has represented the United States at the international level, but has still played his entire NHL career in Canada.

Keith Primeau played with Berube for one season, 1999-2000, with the Philadelphia Flyers, the two having been of the era two of the top enforcers in the National Hockey League.

Primeau was still with the Flyers when Primeau was a coach with their AHL affiliate until his retirement.

Cayden Primeau is a player looking for redemption after struggling to make a mark in Montreal, having found difficulty sticking with the Canadiens in six seasons, now trying to prove himself as an NHL Goalie with Toronto.

Primeau is trying to prove that he can be the Leafs backup behind Anthony Stolarz, having been claimed by Toronto late in the preseason after releasing former Leaf James Reimer from his tryout deal.

The 26-year-old Primeau had just a 4. GAA and a .836 SV% in 11 games for the Canadiens last season, but in the AHL having a 1.96 GAA and .927 SV%, while having a whopping 21-2-2 record.

Primeau may not replicate his record in the AHL with Laval, but the Leafs are hoping he can improve on his time with Montreal. At the very least, Toronto's hope would be him be league average as their #2.

With Joseph Woll out, Cayden Primeau has a prime opportunity to make a strong impression for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and could be the change of scenery that proves the best that he can be.