TORONTO — The Maple Leafs turned a team-bonding stop in Arizona into a show of support for hospitalized Arizona State defenseman Matthew Mayich, taking the ice at Mullett Arena in custom shirts and caps carrying his No. 27.
Players wore shirts with an illustration of Mayich and his number during Saturday’s practice at Arizona State’s rink. Their hats featured Mayich’s initials, No. 27 and a yellow ribbon.
Before practice, Toronto’s group visited Mayich’s family and friends at the hospital. Mayich collapsed during an outdoor offseason training session on Aug. 20 and remains in hospital.
After the horn
Leafs captain Auston Matthews, who grew up in the Scottsdale area and is hosting the club’s Arizona getaway, called the visit an emotional experience.
“The hockey community is very close, but there are also so many people outside the game who heard what happened and wanted to send love, support and prayers,” Matthews said.
Matthews said the Leafs wanted Mayich’s family to know the team was thinking of them.
“That was the way all of us wanted to approach coming here,” he said. “We wanted them to know they have our support.”
Mayich, a native of Stoney Creek, Ontario, was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He played last season at Clarkson University before transferring to Arizona State during the summer.
