Jake Muzzin Grew Up a Leafs Fan

Kyle Dubas’ crusade to let all the players play for their childhood teams continues with the Toronto Maple Leafs most recent acquisition of Jake Muzzin.

Of course, this shouldn’t be a surprise for Leafs fans. Muzzin hails from Woodstock, Ontario, which is about two hours southwest of Toronto. It’s not Mississauga like John Tavares, but it’s southwest Ontario, and everyone there either loves the Leafs or hates the Leafs.

Muzzin had floated around southwest Ontario during his early playing career, starting with Woodstock Minor Hockey before he moved up to play AAA in Brantford. He later got drafted by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2005 (Dubas was a scout for the Greyhounds at this time), and played four seasons with them.

Muzzin was originally drafted by Pittsburgh, but wasn’t signed and went through the draft again without getting his name called again. He ended up signing with the Kings in early 2010, and has played there for all of his NHL career – until last night.

Now, there will be the usual comments about players like Muzzin, and “how they won’t be able to handle the pressure of donning the Maple Leaf in Toronto”, but Muzzin already has this experience, as he played for team Canada in the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, which was in Toronto.