If the young and re-building Toronto Maple Leafs team accomplishes anything this season, rest assured they’ve already significantly increased their fan-base in the town of Wallaceburg, Ontario.
The storied NHL franchise picked up Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith from the Boston Bruins on Tuesday in a waiver-wire deal.
After the 23-year-old winger didn’t make the Bruins after the pre-season, he was placed on waivers on Monday. The Leafs quickly picked up the former London Knight sniper and have added him to their roster for their first game of their centennial season on Wednesday in Ottawa.
“I don’t know much about him to be honest with you,” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock told reporters on Tuesday.
“(Leafs assistant general manager Mark Hunter) and his group obviously felt he is a guy that may be able to help us. (Hunter) has a history with him and I’m assuming that went into the deal.”
Reports say Griffith will be a healthy scratch for Toronto on opening night. He is set to wear #33 for the blue and white once he’s inserted into the lineup.
The news of the Leafs picking up Griffith created a buzz in his hometown on Tuesday.
“Seth is the pride of our community… a product of Wallaceburg who has made it to the top,” Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley told the Sydenham Current.
“I have followed his career closely and I am excited by his chance to play for the Leafs and one of the Hunter boys. A great role model and a true to life story that if you have passion, desire and a strong work ethic, anyone can achieve their dreams… it is possible.”
Griffith’s former lacrosse coach Jamie Knight said he’s excited for him, but disappointed he won’t have a ‘B’ on his sweater.
“Being a Bruins fan, I’m truly bummed that things didn’t work out for him there, but I hope that this opportunity is what he needs to leave his mark in the NHL,” Knight said.
“Great kid and I wish nothing but the best for him.”
Social media exploded after the news, and it was even trending on Twitter for a time on Tuesday.
The Sydenham Current caught up with Griffith back in July, when he made an appearance, played some pool noodle hockey, and signed a ton of autographs for children at the Family Centre Holy Family site day camp.
“It was an up and down year (last season) for me,” Griffith said.
“I did really good in the American League but obviously you need that to translate into the NHL. So I’m hoping my off-season training and the skates I’m doing this year will hopefully pay off for that.”
After injuring himself in the team’s first pre-season game, Griffith eventually competed in four games for Boston last year, recording one assist.
He also played in 57 contests for the Providence Bruins (AHL) where he compiled 24 goals and 53 assists for 77 points.
He finished the 2015-16 regular season ranked first in the league in assists and second in scoring en route to being named an AHL First-Team All-Star.
In his career, Griffith has played in 34 NHL games with Boston, racking up six goals and five assists for 11 points.
The 5’9”, 191-pound Griffith was drafted by Boston in the fifth round (131st overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
