Cheering for Habs comes natural for longtime Leaf

BROSSARD, QUE. — It’s possible to have amassed 3,515 penalty minutes in the National Hockey League and still be a gentleman. Tie Domi proved as much this week.

What began as an individual interview at the Montreal Canadiens practice facility Thursday quickly transformed into an imposing scrum as the former Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer held court for more than 10 minutes.

The task was no doubt made easier because the 48-year-old is happy to see his son, Max, feeling so at home with his new team, the Canadiens.

“He works hard every day, he has a smile on his face, so that’s nice to see,” Domi said. Seeing his son so happy, “makes my day,” he added.

Domi said he had not been planning to attend the Canadiens home game Wednesday against St. Louis, but his son persuaded him, and he witnessed Max’s first goal in a Habs jersey.

Even though he is from Ontario and played 777 of his 1,020 regular-season games for the Leafs, Domi said he hasn’t thought twice about cheering for the Canadiens — and not only because his son is on the team.

It is not “weird” to see Max wearing the colours of a team that was an archrival when he was playing, he said.

“It was actually emotional because I was happy for him — original six. It’s a historical franchise,” he said. “I grew up idolizing Guy Lafleur and the Montreal Canadiens and the winning tradition. I played for Toronto, but Montreal was always my team as a kid.”

Domi said his son’s move from Arizona, where he played the first three years of his career, has been welcome. In Arizona, there were constant questions about the fate of the Coyotes, which takes a toll on the players.

“It’s kind of unstable in that situation — where are they going to be, the fans,” Domi said. “Here, you live it, you walk it, you breathe it every day. That’s what you dream to do, and he’s living his dream now for sure.”

Max Domi, 23, echoed his father’s sentiments when he got off the practice ice, saying he has been happy with the trade since Day 1.

“It’s a huge honour to be part of this franchise, and to be a part of this team,” he said. “Obviously, the start has been great for us, and we’re all enjoying ourselves at the rink right now.”