As the team's original first overall draft pick, Toronto Maple Leafs great Wendel Clark knows all about the pressure of playing in the hockey-crazed market. He was the reward for Toronto and its fans after the Leafs finished at the very bottom of the NHL standings in 1984-85.
The former Leafs captain was selected first in the 1985 NHL Draft from the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL. It didn't take long for Clark to become a fan favorite in Toronto, scoring 34 goals in his first year and finishing second in voting for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.
Clark had three stints in Toronto over his career, so he knows what it entails to play in the market. He recently shared his advice for playing under the microscope.
Wendel Clark's Advice For Surviving in Toronto
During an appearance on the Clearing the Crease podcast with host James Cybulski and former NHLers Mike Commodore and Andrew Raycroft, Clark was asked about the pros and cons of playing in Canada and the passion in Toronto. Cybulski noted how revered Clark is in Toronto, and asked the rugged winger how he was able to handle being a bright-lights player and handle all of it.
"You just play. Just worry about playing. All I can do is control how I play," he responded. He expanded, saying, "That's all you can control. You can't control anything outside. And if you try, then you're frustrated, then you're mad at the world, and you can't."
Clark did admit to paying attention to some negative things that were written or said, but then listed the advantages of playing in Toronto. Specifically, he mentioned how lower-profile players can gain off-the-ice opportunities after playing a couple of years in the city that they wouldn't get elsewhere.
The hard-hitting sniper then shared how to win the hearts of Toronto's fans. "If you're just meat and potatoes and work hard, fans are going to love you. (The) media can say what they want, but if you're meat and potatoes, fans are going to love you. That's pretty much the way it is. That's all you can control."
"If you are meat and potatoes and work hard, fans are going to love you."Leafs' legend Wendel Clark on Toronto
A look at the list of fan favorites over the years validates Clark's point. Whether it's a gaunt, frail-looking Doug Gilmour working his tail off in consecutive Conference Final appearances, or an undersized Darcy Tucker taking on all comers, an honest work ethic is what Leaf fans expect.
Tiger Williams and Tie Domi were loved for always showing up for their teammates. Bob Baun scored a game-winning goal after returning from a fractured ankle in the 1964 Stanley Cup Final. Who can forget franchise icon Borje Salming returning from a 200-stitch gash to his face by an opponent's skate?
Former Leafs' winger Mitch Marner struggled with the demands of the market, taking to heart criticism that came his way when the team failed. He should have paid attention to Clark's guidance.
Auston Matthews was the Maple Leafs second first-overall selection in 2016. Now a decade into his career, he has been through tough times and is now the team's captain. Gavin McKenna became Toronto's third first-overall pick this past summer and is set to embark on his NHL career.
Clark is arguably the most popular player in Maple Leafs history, especially for those who grew up watching him play. He would hit anything in sight, fight all of the league's heavyweights, and could score goals. His hits and fights on social media are the stuff of legends.
He did it all as an authentic, shy, country kid who worked hard, and it endeared him to the team's fans. McKenna would be wise to heed Clark's advice. It's not that complicated to win the approval of the Leafs' fan base. Clark is living proof.
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