Raddysh on joining the Maple Leafs, representing his hometown team and the roster changes

Bryan Hayes· Host0:00

And they brought in a, a good Toronto boy, GTHL alum. Here's, uh, the newest Maple Leaf, Darren Raddysh. How you doing, Darren?

Darren Raddysh· Guest0:07

I'm doing good. Thanks for having me.

Bryan Hayes· Host0:10

Absolutely. Who did you play for in the GTHL?

Darren Raddysh· Guest0:13

Uh, I played for the Toronto Marlboros growing up.

Bryan Hayes· Host0:17

Okay.

Darren Raddysh· Guest0:18

Uh, the Marlboros, uh, there for seven years.

Bryan Hayes· Host0:20

Yes. So George Bell, was that your home rink or what?

Darren Raddysh· Guest0:24

Uh, no, it was Etobicoke Canlan.

Bryan Hayes· Host0:27

Okay, so you were too young- I think they switched over before, uh, before I got there.

Darren Raddysh· Guest0:31

Yeah.

Bryan Hayes· Host0:31

Too young for George Bell. But you referenced that in your press conference today, like playing in that league, being from Toronto, as a reason why you'd, you'd wanna be here. Like, why, why is, you know, your history, the, the way you grew up here in the city, why, why was that a part of the journey to get back here and ultimately play for the Maple Leafs?

Darren Raddysh· Guest0:49

Uh, yeah, I think, you know, just, you know, growing up watching, watching them every day and, you know, you always wanted to be like the guys on TV. And, um, you know, getting the opportunity to play in the NHL, it's, uh, it's a special one. And I think, you know, every time, every time you do come back to Toronto it's, uh, it's always fun and it's always, it's always special. So, um, you know, to, to get to do that every night, it, uh, it's a dream for me and, you know, I'm just looking forward to the opportunity.

Jeff O'Neill· Host1:16

Darren, what was the first thing that entered your mind, I would assume, when your agent first brought to your attention the, the possibility of playing in Toronto? Was it just being home, playing in front of friends and family? Uh, was it