‘This Kid Must Have Been A Serious Fan’: Former Maple Leafs Forward Tim Brent Reacts To Steven Lorentz Channeling His Iconic Shot-Blocking Moment

Although Tim Brent played just 80 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, his time with the team left a lasting impression on both the fanbase and the organization. During his two-season stint from 2009 to 2011, he recorded eight goals, 12 assists, and 20 points – the second-highest point total of his career.

However, his impact with the Leafs was heavily defined by one unforgettable moment in 2011 when Brent’s shot-blocking skills were put on full display during a key penalty kill against the Carolina Hurricanes.

During that memorable 2011 penalty kill, Brent blocked three consecutive shots and, despite losing his stick, continued to battle through his visible pain. On that penalty kill, the Leafs blocked five shots collectively as a unit in the minute-long two-man advantage.

On Thursday, Brent joined Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill on Leafs Morning Take to discuss a four-block performance from Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz in November whose heroics in a 3-0 win against the Vegas Golden Knights reflected Brent’s iconic moment from 2011 in similar fashion.

After the game, Lorentz, who had blocked three shots in the same spot including two on the same shift, shouted out Brent, saying, “I was channeling my inner Timmy Brent there with a few blocks. But yeah, no, it definitely didn't feel too good.”

Related: 'I Was Channelling My Inner Timmy Brent': Steven Lorentz Believes Shot-Blocking Mentality Will Translate To Success For Maple Leafs In Playoffs

Brent responded on Thursday, telling Alberga and Rosehill, “My phone blew up when that happened. Which was hilarious. It was flattering and the first thing I thought was, gosh this kid must have been a serious Leaf fan to remember me,” Brent joked.

He continued, “I love it. I love it for him. He will realize quickly and now that the Leafs fans will love him for that and they’ll probably never forget it. I can’t tell you how many times still today if I’m back home somebody brings it up. That Carolina game – it’s just one of those things that I feel like Toronto’s fans do such a great job of appreciating third and fourth-line players and what they bring.”

Brent’s comments reflected his appreciation for the Leafs’ fanbase, noting that they valued the unsung heroes just as much as the stars during his time – and he hopes that continues for the hometown forward.

“You just don’t get that in a lot of other cities that you play in. I hope that he gets a lot of recognition for it and I hope the fans love him for it,” said Brent.

In that November game, Lorentz blocked a team-high four shots in 12:54 of total ice time.

Following the contest, goaltender Joseph Woll, who earned a shutout in the win, praised Lorentz’s performance, saying, “The thing that really stood out for me was the amount of blocked shots we had. Especially Stevie Lorentz in the second with a few off kind of the same foot. Might owe him dinner or something, but there’s a few I remember.”

The 28-year-old’s four blocked shots against Vegas also tied his season-high, a feat he had also accomplished in a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings earlier in the season.

What makes the story full circle is that Lorentz, having grown up in Waterloo, Ontario, was well aware of Brent and that iconic play in the 2010s – adding an extra layer of meaning to his own moment against the Golden Knights.

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