Just like many of us, professional hockey players enjoy music in their daily lives. For the players of the Toronto Maple Leafs, music is more than just background noise – it’s a source of motivation, a way to relax, and sometimes even a way to express themselves.
Whether it’s blasting tunes before a game or winding down after a tough match, music plays an important role in the lives of these athletes. Let’s take a look at how different Leafs players connect with music in their own unique ways.
Music in the Dressing Room: A Team Tradition
In the Leafs’ dressing room, music helps set the mood. Some players use it to get pumped up for games and practices, while others use it as a way to relax and take their minds off the pressure.
New center Scott Laughton, who was traded from the Philadelphia Flyers, used to control the music in Philly’s dressing room for almost eight years. Now with Toronto, he still plays the occasional playlist but mainly lets veteran Leafs like Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Max Domi take charge of the music choices. Earlier in the season, even winger Ryan Reaves, before being sent to the AHL, contributed to the locker room playlist.
Differing Musical Tastes Among Players
The Maple Leafs have players with a wide range of music tastes. Laughton, for example, is a big fan of Canadian rock legends The Tragically Hip. He says listening to their songs, especially in the morning before a game, helps him get into a good mental space. He also enjoys indie rock bands like The Lumineers and classic artists like Tom Petty.
Meanwhile, Nick Robertson prefers to listen to worship music before games. He and fellow teammate Steven Lorentz both enjoy country music. On the other hand, William Nylander listens to popular hip-hop and pop stars such as Drake, The Weeknd, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar. Lorentz, too, has his own favorite—he’s a big fan of classic 1980s rock music.
Music as a Motivator and a Memory Maker
For players like Lorentz, certain songs can bring back memories of great seasons or special moments in their careers. That emotional connection helps them get fired up before hitting the ice. Nylander also explained that depending on his mood, music helps him either focus or escape from stress.
Joseph Woll: The Musical Goalie
Goalie Joseph Woll has a deep bond with music that goes beyond just listening. He plays the piano and even performed live at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena with teammate Mitch Marner and famous music producer Kygo. Woll gifted Kygo one of his goalie masks at the concert, and their surprise performance was shown to the rest of the team the next day.
Woll says he listens to electronic music and rock bands like Linkin Park before games. While music motivates him at the rink, outside the rink it serves as an escape and a way to recharge. Playing the piano brings him peace, and he believes it balances out the stress of being an NHL goalie.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, music is more than just a way to pass time – it’s an important part of their daily routine, helping them stay focused, relaxed, and even creative. Whether it’s rocking out to old classics, chilling with country tunes, or performing live on stage, Leafs players use music in many different ways. In a high-pressure world like the NHL, music gives these athletes energy, joy, and comfort – both on and off the ice.
