TORONTO — Boys trip!
The Toronto Maple Leafs are hopping on the private jet, flying to Arizona and squeezing in a long weekend of team bonding before the puck drops on the 2026-27 season.
“A new year, fresh start. Wanted to do something different. And (MLSE CEO) Keith Pelley actually brought it up to say, you know, feels like Muskoka is great, everyone loves it, but it’s getting a little stale,” general manager John Chayka explained of the getaway.
“It’s less about time away and more about time with the people, and trying to find the right spot at the right time. So, with the way we travel now, we’re pretty lucky too. Whether we’re stuck in cottage traffic or on a plane, we didn’t feel like it makes a big difference.”
In recent seasons, the grind of Maple Leafs training camp has been broken up with two-night detours to Gravenhurst and Bracebridge, Ont., where they’ve held open practices to connect with small-town communities. They’ve also ventured to Collingwood, Ont., or as far as St. John’s, N.L., to train in Septembers past.
With five days off between Wednesday’s final pre-season split-squad games against Ottawa and Tuesday’s home opener versus Montreal, Brad Lynn, the Leafs’ head of travel, presented a handful of new destinations, including Wisconsin (“Jake McCabe was pushing for that," Chayka said, smiling) and the East Coast.
The decision-makers weighed the pros and cons before pointing the pilot to Scottsdale, home of captain Auston Matthews, who loved the idea. Chayka, a former Coyotes GM, still maintains a residence in the area as well.
“It’s meaningful to Auston: hometown,” Chayka said. “This is all about getting to know each other better and spending meaningful time together. So, for him, it’s an opportunity to show guys where he grew up and what he means to the community there. And, obviously, nice weather, a chance for guys to go and be themselves and spend some time together.”
The NHL group of the Maple Leafs roster, coaches and execs will fly west after Thursday’s skate in Toronto and tuck in an open practice Saturday at ASU’s Mullett Arena between rounds of golf and delicious dinners.
Matthews is hosting his teammates at his off-season home one night, while Chayka has invited the staff over to his.
“Get to know each other a little bit on a personal level and have a little bit of fun together,” said Colton Sissons, one of 11(!) new Leafs on the trip. "Every year that I've done something like that, it’s been really great. And especially with how many new people are around, getting everybody gelled together is important.
“The sooner, the better for all that stuff. So, getting everybody comfortable and building those relationships is a big part of this journey. It’s really important.”
The Maple Leafs didn’t embark on their first lengthy road trip until Nov. 22 last season. Behind the scenes, staff wondered if the absence of early getaway bonding contributed to their slow start and fractured culture.
Pre-season excursions aren’t unique, but travelling three time zones away so close to puck drop is not exactly the norm. (The Leafs will fly home Saturday night, rest Sunday and be back practising on Toronto ice Monday.)
“You’re gonna cross time zones the whole season,” veteran Troy Stecher said. "It’s just one extra flight. It's not like you’re going down there to play a back-to-back. You’re going down there to have a nice dinner, hang out with your teammates, swing the golf stick, and get a couple practices in. There’s a purpose behind it, for sure, and we’re excited about it.
“Every team around the league will do something as a group, just to create those bonds off the ice that carry onto the ice. That’ll be fun. I’m looking forward to it. I know all the guys are looking forward to it.”
OK. But does Chayka have any reservations about a Canadian franchise investing extra money and time in the United States during a heated trade war?
“I don’t think trade wars are something NHL GMs should weigh in on,” Chayka said.
“What’s great about sports is, it’s unifying. And no matter what political spectrum you’re on, or what religion you might be, you come to a game, and everyone’s a Leafs fan.”
