James van Riemsdyk is no longer a part of the Toronto Maple Leafs, however, he forever remains a Toronto Maple Leaf.
Being a hockey fan is something special, being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan even more so, I believe. Biased as that may be, it is something I truly feel so to be. You, the Leafs Nation, are truly something special.
Everyone has their story of how they became a fan of the sport of hockey. One that tells the story of a Leafs fan or any other fan. They all share one common aspect, they are all beautiful and unique, like the sport.
This is my story:
The Passion That Unites Us All
The trip that brought me to Toronto in April/May of 2013, that made me a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, was one that was never supposed to happen. The passing of a dear friend in an accident forced me to cancel a road trip. In honor of him and his love for the NBA, I and another friend went on the trip that brought me to Toronto.
I don’t feel it’s needed to express how special the playoff season of 2013 was for the city of Toronto. The passion and feeling of togetherness are what made just an admirer of a sport a fanatic Toronto Maple Leafs fan.
It was an easy choice favoring James van Riemsdyk to be my favorite hockey player due to his Dutch heritage. After he scored the first goal of the 2013 series against Boston, I watched a crowd go wild, never was there any debate possible again on who my favorite player is.
After the 2013 playoff series I always vowed; “When the Toronto Maple Leafs make the playoffs, I’ll be in Toronto”.
James van Riemsdyk
Fast-forward to 2017, I returned to Toronto for the first time in 4 years. Armed with my #21 James van Riemsdyk Jersey, I strolled the streets of Toronto to walk of the nerves.
It’s during this trip that I met my good friend Brandon from Toronto, an avid Knights and Leafs fan. Brandon and his mom, Ann, showed me the kindness of Canadians. They were so moved by my dedication that Ann gave me the most precious possession I own today; A framed autographed James van Riemsdyk photo.
It is something I am forever grateful for and will always cherish.
They were a big reason for me to return in October during the first weeks of the new season. In which they melted my heart once again, tickets to the Toronto Maple Leafs vs the Detroit Red Wings. I even had my 15 seconds of fame after Connor Brown scored with an assist from, who else than, JvR and my overjoyed face was framed forever.
All of these amazing experiences would not have happened, were it not for James van Riemsdyk. And for that, I am forever grateful for. I never thought it possible that another teams jersey would hang in my room, but a Flyers jersey with James van Riemsdyk will hang and be worn proudly by me. Just not on match day against Toronto. I wish James van Riemsdyk all the best in Philadelphia and for all the services wearing the Blue and White I say, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you, James van Riemsdyk.
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If you would like to share anything on James van Riemsdyk or about how you became Leafs fan, please feel free to share in the comment section. I’d be happy to read them all. Enclosed here is my favorite James van Riemsdyk moment as a Toronto Maple Leaf.