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Mitch Marner does not regret leaving Leafs for Golden Knights: ‘It’s a new chapter in my life’
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Photo credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Arun Srinivasan
Jan 15, 2026, 09:20 ESTUpdated: Jan 15, 2026, 09:16 EST
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There will be an emotionally charged response when Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner returns to Toronto next week. Marner and the Golden Knights host the Maple Leafs for the first time this season. The 28-year-old will square off against his former team for the first time, after electing for a trade, leaving under acrimonious circumstances.
“I love the fan base there, I loved how passionate they were. I loved how they welcomed me and obviously stuff didn’t go as great as we planned,” Marner said to Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star. “But that’s how sometimes things happen.”
Marner left the organization as the Maple Leafs’ sixth-leading scorer in franchise history, registering 741 points over nine seasons. There was an expectation that Marner, along with Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares would lead the Maple Leafs to their first Stanley Cup since 1967. Marner effectively bet on himself, and left the fan base infuriated after two dreadful performances in Game 5 and Game 7 against the Florida Panthers, where he was booed off the ice during his final shift with the Maple Leafs.
“I never ever regret,” Marner said. “I did what I think was best for my life and my career and my family. It wasn’t an easy choice, but I’m very happy to be here.”
Marner has posted 11 goals and 47 points in 45 games with the Golden Knights this season. He is currently playing centre, a position that he rarely played during his tenure with the Maple Leafs. It has allowed Vegas to tap into Marner’s all-around game, and the winger is a down-ballot candidate for the Selke Trophy this year.
Thursday’s game may seem like preamble for Marner’s return date against the Maple Leafs on January 23, where it’s likely he’ll receive a hostile reception from the Scotiabank Arena crowd.
“I had a lot of great years there, a lot of fun,” Marner said to The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel. “I’m very appreciative of that fan base and the love I got from them for the nine years I was there. We’ll see what it’s like.”

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