Photo credit: RDS

Morgan Rielly and Ryan Reaves helped raise a significant amount of money for a charity event this week in support of the Special Olympics.

Toronto Maple Leafs veterans Morgan Rielly and Ryan Reaves gave back to the community this week when they attended a fundraiser for Special Olympics Canada. The event was organized by the non-profit organization Motionball, which aims to raise awareness for the Special Olympics and their contributions at the event helped Special Olympics Canada raise more than $100,000.

Morgan Rielly shared some photos from the event on Instagram:

Both Rielly and Reaves are looking to bounce back from underwhelming seasons last year. Though their challenges are different, both Maple Leafs veterans have areas to improve upon.

Rielly had a solid statistical season in 2023-24, recording 58 points in 72 games. However, as the Leafs’ number one defender, Rielly’s role is to be a game-changer, which he did not fully achieve last season.

Reaves, on the other hand, was invisible early in the season, aside from a few fights here and there. He made a notable impact in the second half with his hard hits and hard to play against style, making life difficult for opposing players. While Reaves may not make a significant impact on the score sheet, his presence on the ice deters opposing teams from targeting the Leafs’ star players. Reaves will need to maintain his strong performance from the second last season to secure a regular spot on the team for the 2024-25 season.

Although Rielly and Reaves have different playing styles, both will be crucial for the Maple Leafs’ success in the upcoming season. Their leadership and community involvement, as demonstrated by their support at the fundraiser, highlight their importance both on and off the ice.