When information got here out that Arizona State defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed on Aug. 20, it hit the hockey world laborious, together with the s.
Whereas on their three-day journey to Arizona, the whole Maple Leafs workforce visited Mayich’s household and associates within the hospital on Saturday morning, Sept. 26.
The Leafs have held team-bonding journeys previously throughout coaching camp, however this 12 months, the workforce determined to go to Arizona, the house of each captain Auston Matthews and ahead Matthew Knies.
The workforce made certain to have dinner at Matthews’ offseason residence and went {golfing}, however on the ultimate day, the group made a degree to test in on Mayich and his household.
“I’m right here all summer season and I’m skating right here, and also you clearly hear concerning the tragic information,” Matthews stated. “It’s fairly emotional. The hockey group itself is fairly tight-knit, however you simply go searching in any respect the love and help they’re getting from those that aren’t even concerned in hockey and heard the story and simply wish to provide their love, help, prayers.
“That’s the method I wished to take and all of us wished to absorb coming right here and understanding what the state of affairs was and ensuring the household knew we’re sending our ideas, our prayers and our help for them. It’s clearly a tricky time and I can solely think about what they’re going via. They bought so many individuals of their nook which might be clearly interested by them.”
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Knies, who was born and raised in Phoenix, stated it felt near dwelling when he discovered about Mayich’s collapse.
“I’m from the realm and I do know the place, and I’m simply actually unhappy and I’m praying for the household,” Knies stated. “All of Toronto is behind them.”
Mayich is from Stoney Creek, Ontario, which is 35 miles southwest of Toronto. After the Leafs' afternoon observe at Mullett Area on Saturday, a number of members of the Leafs wore shirts with Mayich’s face and his No. 27, together with hats with “MM27.” Knies stated the workforce offered a signed workforce jersey and different presents to the household throughout their go to.
“It’s heavy,” defenseman Troy Stecher stated. “It’s an especially unlucky state of affairs. Our ideas and prayers are with him and his household. It simply places every little thing else in life into perspective fairly fast.
"How sudden issues can change and greater than something, particularly with Auston being from right here, however us coming down right here, we wished to point out our help and our respect. That was an necessary a part of our journey to see him and his household.”
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