The Domi name is a big deal in Toronto thanks to legendary Maple Leafs tough-guy Tie Domi. Now a couple decades later, his son Max, different type of player same great name, is helping the Buds on the team’s quest for a Stanley Cup.
Here, we corner Max Domi after practice and ask him some questions of vital importance about his life in Toronto.
What’s your favourite memory from growing up in Toronto?
There’s so many of them. This is home, right? Probably the outdoor rinks around here. I grew up in the Port Credit area, so I played a lot of pond hockey out on the Credit River.
You lived in Port Credit but you went to UCC?
I went to UCC in Grade 3. I grew up in Port Credit and then moved to North York in Toronto. My initial years of hockey were in Port Credit, and my AAA minor hockey was in Toronto.
Talk about your UCC experience. Did you play on the hockey team?
I played Grades 5, 6 and 7. My pops was pretty strict with school hockey. I didn’t have enough time. UCC coaches didn’t love that, but when I was younger, I played school hockey.
Was hockey something that your dad, Tie Domi, wanted you to pursue from a young age?
I think he realized that I wanted to pursue it, and he supported me in every way he possibly could. I fell in love with the game just being around it so much. It wasn’t really forced on me. I was more just surrounded by it, so I didn’t know any different.
Was there any point where you didn’t want to be a hockey player?
I’m lucky. My childhood dream is my current job. I haven’t had to change courses too much, but I’ve enjoyed every second. It’s not always easy, and there’s certainly ups and downs throughout the career, but it’s fun to meet lots of cool people and get to live in lots of cool places. No complaints.
What were you most excited for when you got traded to the Leafs?
I was around this (Maple Leafs dressing) room as a kid, so you always think, “Oh, I’m going to play for this team.” Of course it’s home, but the main thing that excited me the most is that my dad played here. He wasn’t able to win a Stanley Cup, and I kind of look at that as unfinished business and to carry on that legacy.
Other than winning the Stanley Cup, what personal goals do you have for this season?
Show up, work as hard as you can, be a good teammate and have fun. Honestly, the biggest goal is to enjoy every day. It’s not always going to be fun. There’s gonna be tough days, and you’ve got to work through it. I think if you have that approach you enjoy yourself way more.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned from your dad?
Have fun and work hard. If you do those two things, it’s the best job in the world. This was my dream since I was a kid. A lot of people would give up a lot to be sitting in my shoes right now, so I try to enjoy every second of it.
What is your biggest challenge for the season?
Everything’s a challenge when you’re on a team trying to win a Stanley Cup. Every day you’re going to get tested by your team and also within the locker room, and you’ve got to keep that standard high. The culture here is pretty high in terms of competing every single day and trying to get better. It’s easy to show up to work just to clock in and clock out. But we’re trying to get better every day. It’s a lot easier said than done.
How has your experience with type 1 diabetes impacted your game?
In life, everyone goes through adversity. I had to make a decision: am I going to feel sorry for myself or am I going to take this and make myself a better person?
What’s your favourite restaurant in T.O.?
Harbour 60. Sotto Sotto. Bar Isabel.
What’s your favourite neighbourhood?
Ossington is my go-to, for sure. I like my neighbourhood, Little Italy.
I hear you’re a big Swiftie. What are your top Taylor Swift songs?
“Anti-Hero,” “Bad Blood” and “Getaway Car.”