The Toronto Maple Leafs wrapped up a six-game road trip on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes.  It’s always extra special for former Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake, with his son, Jackson, playing for the Hurricanes.

Ahead of the matchup on Thursday, Jason Blake joined Off the Roster, The Nation Network’s brand-new Toronto sports show. Looking at the contest between Toronto and Carolina brought him back to a meeting between the two groups last season, sharing what it’s meant to watch his son play on the biggest stage.

“Last year when they played Toronto, Auston Matthews scored, and then (Jackson) scored the next goal for Carolina,” Blake said. “Literally I could see the joy after the game, he’s almost crying, like, that’s his biggest hero. It’s his journey, but being a small part of it has been the thrill of a lifetime for me.”

Last night, Jackson Blake faced off against the Maple Leafs for the first time since signing an eight-year extension with the Hurricanes last summer, that kicks in next year. With that $45 million bag coming his way, Lindsay Dunn had to ask if he bought his father anything special, but it doesn’t sound like Jason has benefitted too much yet.

“Are you serious? I’m still paying all his bills!” the elder Blake joked.

On the show Thursday, Blake also took some time to reflect on his time in Toronto. A lot is made of the pressures of playing in a market with so much attention, but from Blake’s perspective it was one of the best things about the city. Not to mention, playing with the team from 2007-2010, he got to skate alongside some local legends.

“You’re centre stage, there’s no question about it. You’re talking about the premier place to play in the league in terms of media and fanbase,” he said. “I just loved it, I loved the city, I loved the rink. Playing with Mats Sundin, Darcy Tucker, Tomáš Kaberle, guys like that who were superstars when I got there.”

Listen to the full episode with Jason Blake (and an exclusive George Springer interview) here, and be sure to tune in to Off the Roster with Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio live weekdays at 10am ET for all things Toronto sports!