Maple Leafs’ Victor Mete Reunited with Old Friend Mitch Marner

On day two of free agency, the Maple Leafs added another young player who’s been kicking around the NHL for quite a while but without lasting success – that’s Victor Mete. On that day, general manager Kyle Dubas signed two defensemen in one sweep. One was the 35-year-old Jordie Benn and the other was the 24-year-old Mete. Both signed on for one-year league-minimum $750,000 contracts.

Related: Maple Leafs Commentary: Could Mete Be the Next Bunting?

I Took a Liking to Mete When He Was With the Canadiens

I have to admit that I choose favorite players for all sorts of reasons. When I first started to cover the Maple Leafs, Tyler Ennis – who the Maple Leafs had signed when he was bought out of his contract by the Minnesota Wild – became my favorite. For the past two seasons, I’ve been a fan of Jason Spezza. (Who wouldn’t be, right?) This season, I have decided to root for Victor Mete.

I had taken to Mete when I had followed his early career quest to score his first NHL goal when he was with the Montreal Canadiens. Try as he might, and he was not playing poorly, it took him 127 games before he scored his first NHL goal. The photos of the celebration after were grand – led by the great Nashville Predators and Canadiens’ defenseman Shea Weber.

Mete was a good defenseman. He’s struggled and hasn’t found a home yet, but I have to think (and hope) there’s a chance Mete might become a success story like Michael Bunting was last season.

One Thing I Hadn’t Seen Mentioned Is Mete’s Childhood Friend with the Maple Leafs

One thing I have not seen mentioned in reviews of Mete’s coming to the Maple Leafs has been Mete’s close childhood friendship with Maple Leafs’ young star Mitch Marner. [In a situation like this, where Mete and Marner go back a long way, is it possible that Marner put in a word?] Not so long ago, Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner was a teammate on his junior team with Mete.

In an article written in 2018, when Mete was with the Canadiens, Marner spoke about his friend. As Marner revealed, the two have known each other since they were very young – maybe seven or eight years old Marner noted. While they were in junior, they played both with and against each other. However, both joined the London Knights and were part of their Memorial Championship team in 2015-16.

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Back in 2018, Marner Appreciated Mete’s Skills

Marner lauded on Mete’s puck skills and his skating abilities, even then. Marner noted that Mete’s skating is just as good in the NHL as it was in junior hockey. He still brings a lot of skill to the ice. Marner also admitted that he’d followed his friend’s career and (in junior) hoped they’d get a chance to play together, which they did.

Marner noted that, when Mete came to the Knights, he was a big part of the defensive coprs of the Memorial Cup run. Mete, according to Marner, was loved by the London Knights’ fans who appreciated his skills and talents.

Although the year was 2018, then Marner noted how good a player Mete was.

When asked if they still kept in touch, even though Mete played with the Canadiens and Marner with the Maple Leafs, the answer was yes. Both kept checking in with each other, asking how the other was doing. They enjoyed watching each other succeed.

Now in 2022, Marner Will Appreciate Mete’s Skills Up Close

Marner and Mete will be playing together this season; that is, if Mete has what it takes to make the roster. As I noted, I’m rooting for him. I’m sure that Marner is as well.

Two old friends united. [I still wonder if Marner whispered in anyone’s ear.]

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