Happy and humble.
That is how newly-acquired Maple Leafs prospect Scott Harrington sounded Monday when he joined Dean Blundell & Co.’s radio program to discuss his future in Toronto.
The 22-year-old defenceman and former London Knight was one of five pieces acquired by the Maple Leafs from the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1 in a package that sent all-star sniper Phil Kessel to the Land of Sid and Geno.
“My mentality heading into camp will be the same as it has been the last couple years, of trying to go in and earn a spot,” Harrington told Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “Being from Kingston and an Ontario boy, it’s pretty cool to have an opportunity to do that with the Leafs.”
LISTEN: Scott Harrington talks trade to Toronto Maple Leafs
Harrington, who found out about his trade on Twitter, was drafted in the second round by Pittsburgh in 2011 (54th overall). He spent four seasons with Mark Hunter’s Knights before spending the bulk of the last two campaigns with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he posted 36 points in 124 games total.
The blueline prospect did receive a 10-game look with Pittsburgh in 2014-15, posting a minus-10 rating and taking four minutes in penalties while averaging 15:48 of ice time per night.
“By the second or third game, you’re used to the pace and the speed,” Harrington explained of the NHL jump. “It’s a bit of an adjustment. The more you’re there, the easier it becomes.”
Both Hunter — now an assistant general manager with Toronto — and head coach Mike Babcock phoned Harrington post-trade to welcome him to the club.
“A player in my position, you’re just trying to get your foot in the door, whether it’s as a four, five, six or seven defenceman. You just want to work your way onto the team and work your way up from there,” Harrington said. “That was the first time I’ve ever been traded, but to be included in a deal like that, it’s a good feeling. It makes you feel wanted.
“If I were to get traded, you’d want to be included in a trade for a player of [Kessel’s] calibre.”