Mitch Marner made his first return trip to Toronto with the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night. The former long-time Maple Leafs winger departed Toronto on bad terms this past summer, signing an 8-year, $96 million contract with the Golden Knights this past June.
Marner’s return was expected to be a contentious one, and Maple Leafs fans did not disappoint. Before the Golden Knights even took the ice, one Leafs fan hung a jersey calling Marner a “sellout” over the railing above the away team’s tunnel to the ice.
The fan likely got the reaction they were looking for as Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar ripped the jersey out of his hands and threw it on the ground before skating out onto the ice at Scotiabank Arena.
Marner followed two players behind Kolesar and was promptly booed throughout warmups by his hometown team’s fans.
The consternation from his former supporters continued throughout the game, especially whenever the 28-year-old forward touched the puck.
Marner, who played nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, ultimately did receive some praise from the Toronto faithful. At the first TV timeout during the first period, the team paused to play a tribute video for Marner on the Jumbotron.
The Golden Knights’ alternate captain did a quick spin around the ice while waving to the crowd.
At the end of regulation, Marner and the Golden Knights definitely got the last laugh, as they departed 6-3 winners. Mark Stone scored twice, while Kolesar, Jack Eichel, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Braeden Bowman had the other goals for the victorious Vegas bunch.
Marner skated 17:24 of ice time in the win, recording just one shot on goal. He has 52 points (12g, 40a) in 50 games for the Golden Knights this season.
