Photo credit: Dilip Vishwanat

Former NHLer and current analyst Anson Carter tried to join the Maple Leafs multiple times during his career, but the Leafs turned him down for a very bizarre reason.

The tenth-round pick from the 1992 NHL entry draft carved out a decent 10-year career for himself before retiring at the end of the 2007-08 season. Although his final season of professional hockey was in the Swiss league, the now 50-year-old managed to skate in 674 NHL games prior.

As a kid from the Greater Toronto Area, Carter dreamed of playing for the Leafs, but was unable to make that dream come true despite multiple attempts. On Wednesday, Carter was a guest on ‘Leafs Morning Take’ and revealed that the Leafs chose not to sign him for a very silly reason that, thankfully, over time, has finally changed.
“I tried to get to Toronto several times and one time when I came close, I believe John Ferguson Junior was the GM. I tried pretty hard to come to Toronto. I think they ended up signing the ‘Big E’ (Eric Lindros) instead,” revealed Carter. “For years the Maple Leafs did not want to have local guys playing for Toronto. I think there was that internal fear that if there was any success from a local kid that played for the Leafs, they would become bigger than the team. That’s why I commend a guy like Mitch Marner who grew up being a Leaf fan and he’s playing for the Leafs. He’s playing well there… I wish I had a chance to play there – a guy growing up in Scarborough, would have been a dream come true.”

For years, fans had begged for the team to bring in some star players from Toronto, but the team never did and Carter’s remarks appear to explain everything. However, that has changed significantly over the last 15 years as the Leafs have brought in a number of Toronto-born players.

This year’s edition of the Leafs includes five GTA-area born players, including the aforementioned Marner, who despite the critics, has enjoyed his time with his hometown team.

34-year-old Chris Tanev, who came home after years of pursuit by the Leafs is anothor local product.

Conor TImmins and John Tavares are two more examples of home grown talents, and Steven Lorentz also recently spoke about the idea or winning a Cup in Toronto is also elated that he gets to live out his childhood dream.

Who can forget about Max Domi? Although born in Winnipeg, Domi grew up in Toronto watching his dad Tie and the likes of Mats Sundin, Gary Roberts and Darcy Tucker, and until last season, longed for an opportunity to wear the blue and white.

To hear Carter’s revelation about the Leafs being the ones not wanting to bring Toronto-born players to the Leafs because the team didn’t want to be overshadowed is not all that surprising given the egos that have existed within management and ownership over the years.

Thankfully, that questionable ‘rule’ ended years ago and the team has been able to turn Toronto into a destination where players want to play.