2025 NHL Draft Media Availability – Tyler Hopkins (74th Overall, Toronto Maple Leafs)

go ahead guys
What are the emotions like Uh I can’t even describe them uh right now Uh growing up kind of just outside of Toronto Um been to tons of uh Toronto uh games playoff games things like that And to wear this jersey uh I can’t even describe the feeling I’ve been a Leafs fan since I since I was a kid And now that this has all kind of come true it’s kind of that full circle moment And I I really can’t describe it
You get a big roar from the family was everyone saying “Yeah that was kind of you know like oh what if it’s Toronto What if it’s Toronto?” Like and that was the the ultimate dream And you know my my parents I I know my dad’s a Leaf fan as well Um and this for this to all kind of happen It really doesn’t get better than this Do
you have a sense it was going to be that
Um I had a little bit of a feeling that uh Toronto was interested but obviously really have no idea uh what was going to kind of unfold and I was you know obviously got really fortunate and was able to for Toronto to uh pick me
What’s it like to put on the jersey
Yeah like I said earlier I I still can’t describe it Um obviously there’s a lot of a lot of honor that comes with this logo Um a lot of history as well So um yeah I think it’s just pure excitement and and happiness
What’s the last month been like for you It’s kind of a whirlwind from the OHL playoffs to Los Angeles
It it’s been a crazy couple weeks but obviously it’s it’s been a lot of fun you know getting to meet a lot of uh NHL uh you know GMs and things like that kind of through the combine and OHL playoffs and then right to Texas and playing in the World Championship So it’s been a pretty crazy uh past couple weeks but it’s been a lot of fun and you know all the hard work’s uh paid off When you were when you were going to those playoff games those regular season games would you ever think that maybe you’d be on the ice with some of those guys that you’re watching
Uh honestly some doesn’t you don’t really think about it Um I really hasn’t hit me yet I don’t think But you know the fact that now I’m starting to kind of get in that position uh to play with and be on the same ice as some of the guys that I’ve idolized my whole life Um even in Toronto um you know I’m you know it’s really exciting and I’m really excited to get started
Who are your favorite players growing up
Well my favorite player was Austin Matthews uh when he got drafted to Toronto Um he’s kind of been my my favorite player uh to watch and I like watching Sydney Crosby as well Um those are kind of two guys that have kind of you know kind of role models toward for me um kind of growing up But yeah I think those two are probably the two big guys for me This whole season in Kingston what you know what have they meant to getting you to this moment
Obviously they’ve been a huge uh part of my development Um we obviously had a pretty solid uh team this year and made a decent run into the playoffs So you know working with Troy kind of building a bit of a base last year and kind of given me a little bit more opportunity This year’s really helped me a lot um to you know to put myself in this position
Cheer from yourself when you saw Kieran’s name get called as well
Yeah when I saw Derf go it was uh it was pretty exciting It’s too bad he wasn’t here to you know go and give him a big hug Uh he’s one of my best friends so yeah really excited for him How do you feel your game has grown you know from 16 to now in the OHL Just how have you grown as a player and how will you continue to grow Yeah I think that um coming in at 16 you know I wasn’t as big or strong I think I’ve gained a lot of muscle and uh a little bit more maturity in my game Uh the defensive side of the puck is something that I was really working on um in my 16-year-old Um just not with as much responsibility to be ready for this season and still be relied on defensively Um and I think that was uh part of the ways that my game was able to grow uh under Troy Um so yeah and then I think you know the offensive side started to come out a bit this year Um and looking to uh continue to build off that into next year
How cool was last night for you I mean obviously you’re so close to Matthew Schaefer Just seeing him go first overall and so many friends from around the OHL going as well
Yeah seeing him go was uh it was pretty special Um I’ve known him since we were playing Minor Adam since probably six or seven years old um was really really close to his family and you know to see him go up there and have that moment honestly brought a little bit of tears to my eyes Um he’s one of my best friends and he deserves it uh as much as anybody

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4 comments

  4. Now fill out over time and be a beast out there – Tavares proved that when it means something to put on the jersey it does make a difference on the ice – When he said Auston Matthews was his favorite growing up I felt old

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