Retired Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive's son officially tied to former team
Photo credit: Cyclones Hockey on YouTube
Justin Vaive never got to watch his father Rick Vaive play with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but after their recent deal with the ECHLs Cincinnati Cyclones, he gets to have one step better.
Rick Vaive is part of Toronto Maple Leafs legends, becoming the first in the franchise to post a 50-goal season, then doing three in a row. He spent eight years with the team, recording 299 goals and 537 points in 534 games played. Having spent four years as the Toronto Maple Leafs captain, Rick Vaive recently shared his take on their decision to make John Tavares pass down the role to Auston Matthews.
"I think I was a little bit surprised, but at the end of the data I think it was inevitable, that I think it was going to happen at some point, and, you know, he's the best player on the team."
His son, Justin Vaive, was born in 1989, two years after his father left for the Chicago Blackhawks, meaning he never got to see him play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, after their recent ECHL deal, it seems like he may get one step better than a live game. Toronto recently made a new affiliate deal, swapping the Newfoundland Growlers for Justin Vaive's team the Cincinnati Cyclones, previously tied to the New York Rangers. Cyclones GMVP Kristin Ropp expressed her excitement to join the organization.
"We are thrilled to be associated with an organization with such a storied history as the Toronto Maple Leafs. To partner with an organization that places value in the development of players from the ECHL through the AHL and into the NHL is truly exciting."
Justin Vavie has played nine of his eleven ECHL seasons as a left wing for the Cincinnati Cyclones, gathering over 150 goals with the team during his tenure. Now with the team under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 35-year-old will remain captain in a team connected to the NHL affiliate his father did many years ago.
| POLL | ||
17 AOUT | 54 ANSWERS Retired Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive's son officially tied to former team Have you watched Justin Vaive play with the Cincinnati Cyclones? | ||
| Yes | 1 | 1.9 % |
| No | 53 | 98.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
Latest 10 stories
