Life’s half-grand for D-man Muzzin
Newly acquired Leaf had career threatened by back surgery as a teen
It wasn’t really that hard an act to follow.
Jake Muzzin strolled into the media throng in the Maple Leafs dressing room Wednesday morning, moments after teammate Mitch Marner faced a wave of questions about his contract situation, and addressed one significant number of his own.
The 29-year-old Muzzin, who has had an immediate impact on the Leafs after last week’s trade with the Los Angeles Kings, suited up for his 500th NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night.
“It’s been a long road, but a good one,” the Woodstock-born defenceman said. “It’s been a little different path to get here, but we made it, so it will be good to get this out of the way and move forward.”
A star with the Brantford 99ers Minor Midgets, Muzzin went 11th overall to the Soo Greyhounds in the 2005 OHL draft, but surgery to repair a herniated disc delayed his debut until 2006.
Muzzin was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round in 2007 but didn’t sign, then he wasn’t selected at all when he re-entered the draft in 2009.
He returned to the Greyhounds as an overager and won the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL’s top defenceman, then landed a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Kings.
“A long time ago now,” Muzzin said. “Things didn’t look good there — being hurt, the surgery, being a first-round (OHL) pick and not being able to play for a year and a half. It was hard on myself, but it made me stronger today.”
Looking back, Muzzin has a lot to be thankful for — starting with parents Ed and Judy Muzzin who supported him through the good times and when his hockey career prospects seemed bleak.
He’s grateful for the skilful surgeons who operated on his back and put him on the road to recovery.
From there, he credits Soo coach Denny Lambert and his staff, plus former trainer and current Marlies strength coach Rich Rotenberg, for showing him what it takes to make the NHL and recover from the kind of injury that can end a career.
“The support I had from family, friends, agents … the surgeon, he fixed me up, and Rich Rotenberg,” Mussin said. “Being able to fight through adversity when I was younger, it all helped.”
In 2014, he would go on to win a Stanley Cup in Los Angeles, his only NHL home until the Leafs shipped Carl Grundstrom, Sean Durzi’s rights and a first-round pick to the Kings for his services this past week.
He left all that beautiful west coast weather behind, but says he’s happy to trade it for a cold, snowy walk to the rink in the morning, in part because he’s closer to his family.
Muzzin’s impact after three games as a Leaf has featured some heavy hits, adding a physical presence that’s been missing and could help them match up better against a team such as the Boston Bruins. His game matured as a regular on a Kings team known for playing a heavy style.
The Kings also acquired former Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf last season, and Muzzin soaked up some of his advice on hits and how to close off opposing forwards.
“Well, coming up in the West and playing in L.A., that’s the way we were bred,” Muzzin said. “I learned from older guys on my team. That’s what we did to be successful.
“Yeah, (Phaneuf) has always been able to close guys,” Muzzin added. “I talked about it with him, that if I do end up on the right side (with the Leafs), how to close guys and catch them.”
With 500 games to his credit, Muzzin says he’s still learning, and that includes dealing with the demands of a major hockey market such as Toronto.
“Dion said it would settle down after a while … I’m still waiting,” Muzzin said, laughing.