Michael Pezzetta Addresses Ryan Reaves After Taking His Place on the Toronto Maple Leafs
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Newly-acquired Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Michael Pezzetta is excited about joining the team, but it does come at a great cost to Ryan Reaves.
On Tuesday, the Maple Leafs made their first signing of free agency by bringing in enforcer Michael Pezzetta. He used to play for the Montreal Canadiens, but he just so happens to be a hometown kid in Toronto.
Overall, the forward loved the Maple Leafs growing up, and you can just imagine how happy he is to be part of the franchise.
In fact, Pezzetta was able to express those feelings on Tuesday, and even today, while speaking to the media.
Michael Pezzetta loves the Toronto Maple Leafs
In his first statement in regards to joining the Leafs, Pezzetta noted just how much the team meant to him as a kid, and how he adored Mats Sundin.
For me growing up-I'm sure like a lot of kids-Mats Sundin was always my favorite player. I wore number 13 my whole life, and it was just special. I sat in my room a bit today, and I still have a picture at my parents' house back in Toronto. I've got a picture on my wall of Mats Sundin, and I'm sitting there thinking, 'How cool is it that I get the opportunity to work hard and be able to put this jersey on?' It's just such a special feeling, and I'm so happy and blessed to be given this opportunity.
(Responsibility of playing for the Leafs): Yeah, definitely. I think anytime you play for a big market-Toronto, Montreal-there are expectations that come with it. When you put that sweater on and go on the ice, you have a responsibility to play as hard as you can and give everything you've got. At the end of the day, it's about winning and bringing a Cup back to your city. That's something I'm ready for and just excited about.
(Responsibility of playing for the Leafs): Yeah, definitely. I think anytime you play for a big market-Toronto, Montreal-there are expectations that come with it. When you put that sweater on and go on the ice, you have a responsibility to play as hard as you can and give everything you've got. At the end of the day, it's about winning and bringing a Cup back to your city. That's something I'm ready for and just excited about.
From there, Pezzetta addressed his former rival Ryan Reaves, whom he has fought a few times throughout the course of his career.
Although it appears like Pezzetta was brought in to replace Reaves, the forward was stilll very nice and noted how he would love to meet the 38-year-old.
No hard feelings. Enforcers tend to be the nicest guys. I'm looking forward to meeting him.
Only time will tell whether or not Pezzetta is someone who gets consistent playing time, or is a scratch the vast majority of the time.
Either way, the Leafs have more moves to make and we are interested to see how it all plays out.
Previously on TorontoLeafsInsider
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JUILLET 2 | 768 ANSWERS Michael Pezzetta Addresses Ryan Reaves After Taking His Place on the Toronto Maple Leafs Do you believe Michael Pezzetta will be an effective player with the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
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| NO | 293 | 38.2 % |
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