Pat Maroon Discusses Luke Schenn and Reveals He's Rooting for Toronto to Win it All

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TJ Tucker
May 2, 2023 (1:58 PM)

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Pat Maroon of the Tampa Bay Lightning is no stranger to the Stanley Cup Finals or winning hockey's greatest prize. Maroon won the Cup with the Blues in 2019, and then two more with the Bolts before making it to the finals again last season, losing to the Colorado Avalanche. With his team eliminated in the 1st round by the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, Maroon stated in an end-of-year interview that he's pulling for the team, despite losing to them.

The main reason he's rooting for the Leafs is due to former teammates. Maroon won a Cup with Ryan O'Reilly in St. Louis, and two more with Luke Schenn in Tampa Bay. He's hoping for both of them to succeed.

"Schenner, won it with him twice. Very happy for him. The stuff he brings to the locker room that you guys don't see, it's valuable. It brings guys together. He does the little things that make things tick. He may not be the most skilled guy obviously, but he makes the first pass and he's strong in front of the net."

"Obviously O'Reilly, he's a big time player. He works hard. He's another guy that young guys look up to. He's the first one on the ice, last one off the ice. He's teaching these kids how to play and how to work on their craft. I'm happy for him."

"You pull for friends like those guys. They appreciate the game, appreciate the locker room and just care about each other. Love 'em."

With the Leafs finally getting past the 1st-round hump, it seems the sky is the limit for the team now. Florida will be a huge test. We're sure Maroon will be watching.