Mitch Marner Releases Heartfelt Goodbye Statement to Maple Leafs Fans
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
With Mitch Marner headed to Vegas, the former Maple Leafs star sent an emotional farewell to Leafs Nation as he starts his new journey in Sin City.
As fans turn their attention to the new-look Toronto Maple Leafs, they'll have to come to terms with the fact they will no longer get to have the excitement that Mitch Marner brings every game.
While his tenure was frustrating at times, there's no doubt that Marner left his mark on the city, and will go down as one of the best Maple Leaf players to ever put on the jersey.
Mitch Marner posts goodbye on social media
His time with the team is over, and on his way out he gave them a bit of help by doing a sign and trade. But he also took the time to give a message to those who supported him through everything.
The statement reads:
Dear Toronto,
Now that my time in Toronto has come to an end, I wanted to share what these last nine years have meant to me.
Leaving isn't easy. This city is where I grew up, where I fell in love with hockey, and where I've had the incredible honour of living out my childhood dream. Wearing the Maple Leaf on my chest wasn't just about playing for a team, it was about representing my home.
When I was drafted, all I wanted was to help bring a Stanley Cup to Toronto. That was always the goal, and I came up short. I know how much this team means to the city, and I know the expectations that come with wearing this jersey. I gave everything I had, but in the end it wasn't enough.
That's hard to admit, because I wanted it so badly, for all of us.
To the fans: Thank you. Playing in Toronto is special because of you. Over the last nine seasons, I have felt it all: the passion, the pride, the hope, the pressure, and the support. You care deeply, and I never took that for granted.
To my teammates, coaches, trainers, the equipment and medical staff, team services, PR staff, and everyone behind the scenes who keep things running, thank you. I'm grateful for every conversation, every moment of support, and every bit of belief you showed me along the way.
As I prepare for what comes next, I leave a different person than I was at 18. I'll always be grateful for my time here, and most of all, I'm so proud to have been a Toronto Maple Leaf.
With heartfelt thanks,
Mitch Marner
Now that my time in Toronto has come to an end, I wanted to share what these last nine years have meant to me.
Leaving isn't easy. This city is where I grew up, where I fell in love with hockey, and where I've had the incredible honour of living out my childhood dream. Wearing the Maple Leaf on my chest wasn't just about playing for a team, it was about representing my home.
When I was drafted, all I wanted was to help bring a Stanley Cup to Toronto. That was always the goal, and I came up short. I know how much this team means to the city, and I know the expectations that come with wearing this jersey. I gave everything I had, but in the end it wasn't enough.
That's hard to admit, because I wanted it so badly, for all of us.
To the fans: Thank you. Playing in Toronto is special because of you. Over the last nine seasons, I have felt it all: the passion, the pride, the hope, the pressure, and the support. You care deeply, and I never took that for granted.
To my teammates, coaches, trainers, the equipment and medical staff, team services, PR staff, and everyone behind the scenes who keep things running, thank you. I'm grateful for every conversation, every moment of support, and every bit of belief you showed me along the way.
As I prepare for what comes next, I leave a different person than I was at 18. I'll always be grateful for my time here, and most of all, I'm so proud to have been a Toronto Maple Leaf.
With heartfelt thanks,
Mitch Marner
Good luck in Vegas, Mitch
It's a candid look at how Marner felt during his Maple Leafs tenure, and was sure to touch on all bases, but genuinely seemed touched by all the support and admiration the Toronto faithful showed him.
Yes, he deserves some criticism for not being able to show up in the biggest of times, but that doesn't underscore the impact of him on the team, the city and its fans.
His brutal honesty about being unable to bring a Cup to Toronto shows that he knows he needed to be better; they all did. But it's a sendoff for fans that is as heartfelt as ever.
For his nine seasons in Toronto, Marner had 741 points in 657 games, and ranks fifth all-time in points, and fourth all-time in assists.
Mitch Marner, for all his negatives at times, was one of the greatest to ever put on a Leafs jersey, and while he didn't bring a Cup to the city, he brought excitement, passion and hope.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 1 | 743 ANSWERS Mitch Marner Releases Heartfelt Goodbye Statement to Maple Leafs Fans Do you think Mitch Marner will end up succeeding in Vegas? | ||
| Yes | 485 | 65.3 % |
| No | 258 | 34.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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