He was once the Toronto Maple Leafs’ primary scapegoat. Now, he’s a Canadian hero.

Life moves fast.

Former Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner stepped up at the Olympics when Canada needed him most. 

With Canada unexpectedly ending up in overtime against Czechia, it was Marner’s unreal, individual effort that kept Canada’s gold medal dreams alive.

MITCH MARNER 🚨

CANADA WINS CANADA WINS CANADA WINS 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/sKICnjLnA6


— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 18, 2026

So much for Marner not stepping up in big moments.

After the game, the hockey world was having fun with Marner’s heroics, at the Maple Leafs expense.

“I thought he wasn’t a big-game player?” Brandon Hagel told The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus after the win.

“He just showed the world.”

Brad Marchand, who’s been known to troll the Maple Leafs before, stayed true to his reputation following the biggest moment of Marner’s career.

Just saw Brad Marchand:

“Jackie, I’ve been saying for years that Mitch Marner is my favourite player. And it’s never been truer than today.” 😂#MilanoCortina2026 #Olympics #TeamCanada


— Jackie Redmond (@Jackie_Redmond) February 18, 2026

Marner’s reputation as a player who faded in hockey’s biggest moments plagued him throughout his time in Toronto. 

That was especially true as NHL playoff series neared their conclusion. Throughout his NHL career in Games 6 and 7 of the playoffs, the Markham, Ont. native had just one goal and six points in 14 such contests.

However, according to Mark Stone, that wasn’t on Marner. Here’s what Marner’s Vegas Golden Knights teammate told the media in Milan when asked about the 28-year-old’s reputation for not being clutch.

“As a teammate, I haven’t experienced that,” Stone said. 

“Four Nations, he gets a huge overtime goal for us, makes an incredible play for the winner. Then tonight, when we need him the most, he makes the play.

“So…I think it’s a Toronto thing.” 

Well, based on Marner’s massive moment at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Stone may have a point.

Even outside of Team Canada’s dressing room, former Olympic gold medalist Roberto Luongo even got in on the fun.

Marner was born to wear that maple leaf on his chest 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦


— Strombone (@strombone1) February 18, 2026

It sure looked good on Marner during Wednesday’s win.

Lead photo by

Amber Searls/Imagn Images