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Toronto Maple Leafs: A Tribute to Tie Domi and his Heart

By Denver Riddell

TORONTO - JANUARY 27: Right wing Tie Domi #28 of the Toronto Maple Leafs stands on the ice during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Air Canada Centre on January 27, 2004 in Toronto, Ontario. The Hurricanes won 2-0. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
TORONTO - JANUARY 27: Right wing Tie Domi #28 of the Toronto Maple Leafs stands on the ice during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Air Canada Centre on January 27, 2004 in Toronto, Ontario. The Hurricanes won 2-0. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /
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Tie Domi is a former Toronto Maple Leaf, and the father of current Montreal Canadiens forward Max Domi.

Tie Domi, I’d argue vehemently, is one of the toughest Toronto Maple Leafs that ever lived.   We all know he had a lot of penalty minutes, and relatively few goals and assists.  I don’t even need to do any statistical research to know that, because it’s already common knowledge to anyone who cared about the Leafs in the 90s or early 2000s.

This article is just me dedicating some time to express my appreciation for Tie Domi and the hard work he did.  Specifically, the way he’d fearlessly put himself in harm’s way to stand up for his teammates.

If any of you care to know where my “research” for this article came from, I relied on my childhood memories of watching hockey with my step-Dad Andre, and then, I watched some YouTube videos to aid my recollection.

(Side note: rest in peace Andre. I wrote that last line battling back tears because Andre is the man who got me into hockey and the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first place)

In the first video I watched, Domi fought two people at once, and in the second video, it showcased his top 10 fights.  Here’s the links if you want to see for yourself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB4wO2YEEK8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAewhDtJo7w

Domi had heart

I’m sure by now you’re wondering who cares about Tie Domi?  He played for the team nearly two decades ago and never contributed much offense.

Well, I care.  And to be honest, looking at Domi, I think I see a bit of myself in him.

Full disclosure, I’ve never played a game of hockey in my life.  I wasn’t privileged enough to come from a family that could afford all the gear, training camps, travel costs, etc., that come with playing hockey.  The sports I could afford were kickboxing and Brazilian Jujitsu.

Consequently, Domi and I both appreciate a clean fight, we’re not very tall, and we’re not very big.  But, what we lack in stature, we make up for in HEART.  You could say we’re both gritty underdogs.

Domi was NEVER afraid to go toe to toe with the biggest, meanest, guys in the league.  If someone played dirty against one of his teammates; Domi balled up a fist and let them have it.  He didn’t care what happened to his body.  His spirit was unbreakable.

I think that’s how every athlete should perform.  By that, I mean they should all play with heart, selflessness, and a desire to stick up for their teammates.  I don’t mean they should all fight.

The way Domi played, taught people who watched some valuable life lessons.  You didn’t just see him fight guys, often smiling while he did it, you saw him stand up for the people around him that he cared about, and you saw him sacrifice himself for a cause her perceived to be greater than himself.

For those reasons, I’ll always remember Domi as a legend.  Even if he doesn’t crack most people’s list of top 100 Leafs.

If you made it this far, thank you very much for reading!

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Questions: What are your thoughts about fighting in hockey?  Who was your favorite Leaf from the past that has retired?  Who is your favorite current Leaf?  Do you like or dislike Tie Domi?  Who would win in a fight, Chuck Norris or Domi?  Would you like to see the Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Max Domi if the price is right?

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