Mitch Marner elaborated on the lowest point of his Maple Leafs career, describing it as a 'dark hole'. On June 16, Marner spoke to the media after the Vegas Golden Knights' Stanley Cup Final loss.
What happened to Mitch Marner in Toronto?
Marner's exact words were 'there's been some dark times in hockey for myself', prompting fans and analysts to press for more details. He refused to elaborate during the series against the Carolina Hurricanes, but later opened up about his struggles.
Marner stressed the importance of mental health, saying he's been trying to take care of it for the last five years. He expressed gratitude for his unbelievable teammates in Toronto and his family, who helped him through tough times.
How did Mitch Marner cope with his struggles?
Marner pointed to the pitfalls of excessive social media use, saying he's tried to check himself out of it in the last 2-3 years. He believes this has helped him in many ways, allowing him to focus on his mental health.
After moving to Vegas, Marner's agent revealed that his family faced death threats and had to scramble for additional security in Toronto. Marner looked like a man reborn, relieved of carrying the burden of an NHL franchise in a pressing market.
What's next for Mitch Marner?
Marner finished the NHL Playoffs with 29 points, but was conspicuously absent from the scoreboard in the final two games, leading to fresh criticism. The Golden Knights are now looking for a new bench boss after letting John Tortorella walk.
On June 16, Marner's thoughts on his time in Toronto were still raw, but he chose to speak out about his mental health, hoping to help others. Marner's ultra-productive season with the Golden Knights was a testament to his skill, but also to his resilience in the face of adversity. Marner had 10 goals and 19 assists in the playoffs, a notable achievement for the NHL star.