While some may find the intensity of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs daunting, Max Domi views it from a different perspective. The forward shared his straightforward view: “The only thing better than playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs is likely winning a Stanley Cup as a Toronto Maple Leaf, and it’s really that simple.”
Despite the 2024-25 season not unfolding as Domi, the team, or the fanbase desired, he remains confident in the team`s readiness for the upcoming fall. “We’ve got a hungry group, and everyone believes in there that we can get the job done, and anything short of that is not going to cut it,” Domi explained. Expressing his passion for the team, he added, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity. I absolutely love playing here. I love playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
As the son of former Maple Leafs enforcer Tie Domi, Max is no stranger to pressure, having experienced it throughout his career. He believes this challenge is precisely what makes the journey worthwhile. Domi described pressure as “a huge privilege and something that you dream of your whole life to be able to experience.” He acknowledged the difficulty, stating, “Is it easy? No, but nothing’s easy, and hard things are what make it fun.”
This resilient mindset extends beyond the rink into Domi’s personal life. He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 and has been transparent about his 18-year experience managing the condition, including how it influences his preparation as a professional hockey player.
He detailed the less visible aspects of his routine: “The stuff that goes kind of unseen is the work leading up to [the] game.” His typical preparation begins 24 hours prior, involving “maintaining the glucose levels in range, eating the proper food, staying hydrated, and just staying on top of where my glucose levels are trending.”
Away from the ice, one of Domi`s priorities is supporting others affected by Type 1 diabetes. He is participating in the Breakthrough T1D Walk in Toronto as an ambassador. Domi expressed what this involvement means to him, saying it`s about “just showing a lot of support for everyone living with our condition of type 1 diabetes.”
He feels his work has “created this community in my life,” which serves as a constant reminder. “I’m playing for them,” he said, emphasizing his goal to “show all the kids out there, and even adults, that despite having this disease and whatever your dream is, you can still go out and live your best life.`”
