Former NHL forward reveals why he never signed with Toronto Maple Leafs despite best efforts
Former NHL forward Anson Carter revealed today that he once tried to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs but he was denied by the general manager at the time John Ferguson Jr.
Anson Carter, who played ten years in the NHL split among eight different teams, is a native of Toronto.
Apparently, this was a big factor in his career as he tried to sign with the team several times in free agency.
Unfortunately, according to him, the general manager at the time John Ferguson Jr, was skeptical of signing local players.
"I tried to get to Toronto several times, and one time I came close; it was John Ferguson Jr., he was the GM. I tried really hard to come to Toronto but they signed the 'Big E' instead (Eric Lindros) so I went to Vancouver."
Anson Carter used this story specifically to commend Mitch Marner for sticking with the organization to this point in his career.
It certainly is not easy for anyone to play in the Toronto media market, especially someone like Marner, who has gotten more than his fair share of criticism over the years.
"For years, the Maple Leafs did not want to have local guys play in Toronto. I think there was an internal fear that any success for a local kid who played for the Leafs, they would become bigger than their team.
It's why I commend guys like Mitch Marner who grew up being a Leafs fan and playing very well for the Leafs."
It's why I commend guys like Mitch Marner who grew up being a Leafs fan and playing very well for the Leafs."
Clearly, the current version of the Maple Leafs is not afraid to sign players with ties to the Toronto area.
Perhaps the most famous example of this would be superstar winger Mitch Marner.
Marner, a Markham, Ontario native, famously grew up as a fan of the Leafs.
It was his childhood dream to wear the famous blue and white jersey just as he has for the past nine seasons.
Not only does he play for the team, but he is a huge part of the team's success.
When he is playing well, the team is usually doing well, but when he isn't, that also has a huge impact on the team's overall performance.
Now that Marner is a pending unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career this summer, it should be interesting to see if he sticks with his hometown team or if he goes somewhere else to secure the bag.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs should try to bring in more players that grew up in the Toronto area like Mitch Marner? | ||
| Yes | 36 | 53.7 % |
| No | 31 | 46.3 % |
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