'We Had Quite The Hatred For Each Other': Why Mitch Marner Brought One Of His Hockey Rivals For The Team's Annual Mentors' Trip

RALEIGH, N.C. — Like many of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner had his choice of who he could bring for the club's annual mentors' trip this season.

This time, Marner brought Matt Grzelewski, one of his biggest hockey rivals in minor hockey growing up.

"We had quite the hatred for each other," Marner explained. "And then through the years, we've just grown a great bond. We've gotten close to each other. He's been a good friend of mine for a long time now and played the game of hockey himself, so he enjoys it. I thought it would be cool for him to see what we do on a day-to-day basis."

Marner referred to Grezelewski as the 'King of Thunder Bay' and he would have tournaments against him during minor hockey playing days. They eventually became teammates with the London Knights during the 2014-15 season.

"We had some good battles back in the day and it's still something we joke and talk about a lot.'

The 'King of Thunder Bay" title is appropriate for the 27-year-old Grzelewski, who put up 43 goals and 36 assists in 53 games with the Thunder Bay North Stars in Junior 'A' hockey before getting a look with the Knights. The player last played competitive hockey in 2016-17, splitting time with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL and the Markham Royals in Junior 'A'.

Marner is enjoying a productive year as Toronto's top point-getter this season. An unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, the player has 14 goals and 45 assists in 43 games this season.

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