Wyatt Johnston, a forward for the Dallas Stars, says playing in Toronto provides him with a personal boost during games against the Maple Leafs. Growing up as a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Johnston now faces his childhood team annually when the Stars visit Toronto. In a recent interview on Leafs Morning Take, Johnston confirmed that playing in front of friends and family in his hometown creates added motivation. “It’s definitely a thing. It’s always exciting for me to play in Toronto, just especially being a Leafs fan growing up,” he said. “It’s pretty cool to play in that building and play against my childhood team I loved watching when I was growing up. Then you have so many friends and family that are in the building to cheer you on, it definitely gives you a boost.” Johnston reflected on a specific game during the Maple Leafs’ penultimate regular season contest, where he scored his 45th and final goal of the season in a 6-5 Stars victory. He recalled the game as a back-and-forth affair that featured multiple lead changes, including the Maple Leafs holding 3-0 and 5-3 advantages before Dallas rallied with three unanswered goals. Johnston credited his power-play goal for helping spark the comeback. Despite making the playoffs in each of his first four NHL seasons, Johnston acknowledged the Stars’ recent playoff disappointment, particularly their first-round exit to the Minnesota Wild the previous year. He emphasized that overcoming that hurdle rests with the players, stating the team has the personnel to win a Stanley Cup and that achieving that goal requires the group to take the next step. The article notes Johnston was selected 23rd overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and has played his entire NHL career with the Dallas Stars.
Key facts
- Wyatt Johnston grew up cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs
- Johnston has played his entire four-year NHL career with the Dallas Stars
- Johnston scored his 45th and final regular season goal in a 6-5 Stars win over the Maple Leafs
- Johnston said playing in Toronto gives him a boost due to friends and family in attendance
- The Stars and Maple Leafs play each other once every season in Toronto