Daniel Negreanu
Poker star, Daniel Negreanu, has sat through many tournaments wearing one of his Maple Leafs jerseys. A friend of former Leafs sniper, Phil Kessel, Negreanu has been an outspoken die-hard fan who never shies away from sharing his opinions on the team.
Negreanu is not just Canada’s most famous poker player, but he’s also one of the best of all time. Born in Toronto in 1974, he learned how to play poker at age 15. By 22 he was ready for his first foray to becoming a professional player.
Now residing in Vegas, Negreanu’s career playing cards has helped him accumulate nearly $42 in winnings. That ranks second on the all-time money list behind only Justin Bonomo. His accomplishments include winning the World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets six times with 39 final table appearances. He is also a two-time World Poker Tour (WPT) champion, sitting at the final table nine times and though he never won the tournament, he reached the final table five times on the European Poker Tour (EPT).
Negreanu grew up a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, but has since adopted the Golden Knights as well. He actually played a part in that team’s promotion and initial ticket drive. Though he’s still a Leafs supporter, he can be seen at games throughout the season at T-Mobile Arena, the Knights home rink.
In an interview with Poker News, Negreanu detailed his Knights ticket package. He said, “I bought four seats for myself down low and I also bought 12 seats for kids that I’m mainly going to donate to a school called Cambeiro Elementary, which is a very underprivileged school.” The kids are on assisted lunches and don’t have a lot of opportunity.” With a passion for trying to grow the game in the desert, he explained his philanthropic act. “I thought it would be good at a grassroots level and they would enjoy the game.”
Negreanu may pull a Knights sweater over his head from time to time, but it’s often accompanied with a Leafs cap.