Ayres a rock for Leafs when they need him
Veteran goalie, 42, just one of the boys at City Hall practice
While the Maple Leafs connected with the fans and with their outdoor roots during a mini tournament at Nathan Phillips Square on Thursday, there was one person perhaps happier than most.
His name is Dave Ayres. He’s 42. And he filled in for a resting Frederik Andersen, playing with all those NHLers in front of all those fans.
“They treated me like one of the guys,” Ayres said.
Ayres is well known to the organization. He is in his third year as an emergency backup. He works for the Coca Cola Coliseum and tends net whenever either the Leafs or the AHL Marlies need a spare goalie for practice. He was Jonathan Bernier’s backup during a game in 2015 when the Marlies played in Rochester.
“They had a couple of goalies that were hurt, so I ended up bringing my gear in and then they’re like, you’re pretty decent. And these guys are hurt ... I just kept skating, skating, skating.”
A former Junior B goalie in Port Perry, and Oshawa, Ayres’ career was waylaid by a kidney ailment that led to a transplant in 2004.
“I’ve been to a few camps, I went to a San Jose pro-am camp, I went to (the ECHL) for a bit and never played a game,” he said. “I was supposed to go play hockey in the Central League when I got sick.”
He’s better. He has one of his mother’s kidneys now. And he got a chance to live a bit of a dream Thursday.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “I’ve been with a lot of these players since they came through the Marlies system. Got some friendships going. I’ve been a round it for a long time. But it’s cool to be with the Leafs organization.” SUBWAY TOKEN: Maple Leafs defenceman Tyson Barrie used his Presto pass to take the subway from Union Station to Queen, where the Leafs got off — in full equipment, outside of their skates — to walk over to Nathan Phillips Square.
“I take the subway every day to the game,” said Barrie, who lives downtown.
“So I was trying to show these guys the ropes. But, yeah, (fans took a) couple of pictures and stuff.
“I think it’s pretty cool to have a team pile on there when you’re just trying to get to work. Or maybe it’s annoying. I’m not sure, but either way, it was a cool day.”
The team marched across Bay Street into an adoring crowd.
“It’s freezing cold out here,” forward Mitch Marner said. “So it’s impressive how many people showed up and hopefully they bundled up warm.”
Said captain John Tavares: “I haven’t been on the subway in a little while. So it was good, kind of catching people off-guard. It’s amazing, just the support, people just saying words of encouragement as you walk by and how much they care about the team. So it’s fun to do it. It’s a different experience for us, but certainly one we enjoy.” OUTDOOR FUN: Team East, made up of mostly Europeans but also Frédérik Gauthier, were the champions of the three-team 3-on3 tournament, beating Team Ontario in the final. Team West, which included Auston Matthews and Barrie, was eliminated first in the three-team round-robin.
“Everyone enjoys it,” Marner said. “We’re grateful for how many fans come to these events and how many fans we get to interact with. So we have a lot of fun with it. We’re enjoying it. Moments like these, we always enjoy it and take it to heart.”
PARADE PLANNER: The last time Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe was at Nathan Phillips Square was to watch the victory parade for the Toronto Raptors. “I went about 6:30 in the morning when it was just getting going, just to get a feel for it, and then I got out of there,” Keefe said. “But I was thinking about that.” WEST-ENDER: Tavares hadn’t skated on Nathan Phillips Square until last year’s outdoor practice. He was more a westend outdoor rink kind of guy. “There’s such a connection between ... the team and the city, the community and what it means, and the game itself,” he said.
“So everything is intertwined, everyone’s daily life comes full circle here today. It’s great to be outside, play the game at its purity, playing for the Maple Leafs in the city of Toronto here at City Hall in front of our fans. It means a lot and it’s nice to take a moment to recognize that and appreciate it.”