When news came out that Arizona State defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed on Aug. 20, it hit the hockey world hard, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While on their three-day trip to Arizona, the entire Maple Leafs team visited Mayich’s family and friends in the hospital on Saturday morning, Sept. 26.
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The Leafs have held team-bonding trips in the past during training camp, but this year, the team decided to go to Arizona, the home of both captain Auston Matthews and forward Matthew Knies.
The team made sure to have dinner at Matthews’ offseason residence and went golfing, but on the final day, the organization made a point to check in on Mayich and his family.
“I’m here all summer and I’m skating here, and you obviously hear about the tragic news,” Matthews said. “It’s pretty emotional. The hockey community itself is pretty tight-knit, but you just look around at all the love and support they’re getting from people that aren’t even involved in hockey and heard the story and just want to offer their love, support, prayers.
“That’s the approach I wanted to take and all of us wanted to take in coming here and knowing what the situation was and making sure the family knew we’re sending our thoughts, our prayers and our support for them. It’s obviously a tough time and I can only imagine what they’re going through. They got so many people in their corner that are obviously thinking about them.”
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Knies, who was born and raised in Phoenix, said it felt close to home when he found out about Mayich’s collapse.
“I’m from the area and I know the place, and I’m just really sad and I’m praying for the family,” Knies said. “All of Toronto is behind them.”
Mayich is from Stoney Creek, Ontario, which is 35 miles southwest of Toronto. After the Leafs’ afternoon practice at Mullett Arena on Saturday, several members of the Leafs wore shirts with Mayich’s face and his No. 27, along with hats with “MM27.” Knies said the team provided a signed team jersey and other gifts to the family during their visit.
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“It’s heavy,” defenseman Troy Stecher said. “It’s an extremely unfortunate situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. It just puts everything else in life into perspective pretty quick.
“How sudden things can change and more than anything, especially with Auston being from here, but us coming down here, we wanted to show our support and our respect. That was an important part of our trip to see him and his family.”
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maple Leafs visit stricken ASU hockey player, Matthew Mayich, and family
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
