Toronto Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz had a viral moment when his sister shared a photo of a yearbook where he stated he hoped to find himself wearing the Blue and White 15 years later.

Steph Lorentz posted the photo after her brother scored his first goal as a Leaf, which made his goal of making the team, printed in a yearbook back in 2009, become a reality. After the morning skate on Saturday, Lorentz spoke about the viral photo and he revealed that likely wasn’t the only time he wrote that dream down.

“That was probably not the only yearbook I put that in,” Lorentz said. “That was definitely the goal my whole life. So to be able to be standing here right now in front of you guys is definitely special. I take a lot of pride in that, I don’t take it for granted.”

Loretnz has expressed numerous times his excitement about being a member of his boyhood team since the start of training camp. He could have likely easily signed elsewhere in the league for better financial security but opted to get a PTO with the Leafs instead because not only was it his favourite team growing up, but he bought into the culture head coach Craig Berube and general manager Brad Treliving were trying to instill as well as a chance to win another Stanley Cup.

The early returns have shown that this is a perfect match for both parties as Lorentz had quickly developed strong chemistry with David Kampf and Ryan Reaves while the team is reportedly keen on extending him soon after he becomes eligible. It has resulted in a strong start to the campaign with a 3-1-0 record going into Saturday’s game against the New York Rangers.

“It’s just fresh, there’s a buzz around the team right now, and we’re happy with where we’re at as a group with a lot of potential,” Lorentz said about what he likes most about the beginning of the season for the Leafs. “It’s a stepping stone, just one game at a time. So teams like [the Rangers], and we’ll get some of the top teams in the league, it’s a good test for us to see where we’re at kind of a benchmark. We’re excited for the challenge and the opportunity.”

While the enthusiasm for living the dream has not dissipated, Lorentz understands that now it is his job to perform well and execute his role on a nightly basis. He told reporters about how earlier in the day he and Reaves wanted over footage from their game against the Los Angeles Kings to ensure they are on the same page with how they want to play and identifying areas of improvement. He knows that mistakes will occur but it is down to nipping those shortcomings early and remaining committed to being aligned with his linemates.

Even still, he certainly has some bragging rights over his elementary school friends that were not able to make it on the Leafs like he did.

“I think a lot of kids probably would put that in the yearbook, especially after a good mini stick game at recess, some of the guys were probably like, ‘Who knows, maybe I got a shot’,” Lorentz said, bringing a few laughs to the room. “A lot of those guys I played hockey with growing up and I know a couple of guys made as a junior. It’s every kid’s dream, so to be able to be standing here right now, like I said, is very special.”

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