Leafs Rookie Zach Hyman Talks Making the NHL, Writing Children’s Books and Fantasy Football

Dave McCarthy January 17, 2017

Back in June 2015, the Toronto Maple Leafs made what seemed like one of those trades that you hear about and then never think about ever again. They acquired the rights to the unsigned Zach Hyman from the Florida Panthers along with a conditional seventh round pick in 2017 in exchange for minor league forward Greg McKegg. Umm, that’s nice…

Who could have imagined that the little-known Hyman would wind up becoming an integral piece of an upstart, high-octane Leafs team that’s making an unexpected push for the playoffs? Now over 50 games into his NHL career, Hyman’s relentless energy and “drive-train” — as head coach Mike Babcock would put it — have quickly made him a favourite of Leafs fans and his coaching staff alike. A stalwart on the penalty kill unit — he currently leads all Maple Leafs forwards in shorthanded time on ice — Hyman has found a home on a line with fellow rookies Auston Matthews and Connor Brown.

We recently sat down with the 24-year-old Toronto native to find out more about what makes him tick.

Apart from skating, which attribute do you think is the most important to have in order to be a great player in the NHL?

Hockey smarts. Just being able to read plays and knowing where to be on the ice, being positionally sound. Being able to read the ice whether it is on offence or defence, knowing who your guy is to check, knowing where to be. Guys who have elite hockey sense can get away with other shortcomings.

You have quickly endeared yourself to Maple Leafs fans with your dogged work ethic. It seems if there’s a loose puck, you won’t let yourself lose the battle. If there’s a shot to be blocked, you’ll block it. A lot of what you do is hard work and often hurts. Some guys just can’t bring themselves to do it all the time, but you do. How?

It’s the reason I got to this level. I’ve been willing to do those things, to go into the corners and work hard and kind of give it my all every shift. That’s something I’ve always done, I don’t really know how else to play. It’s just something that’s natural to me and a big part of my game.

Who was the player you most admired growing up? Was there someone you modelled your game after?

That’s a good one. I had a lot of favourite players growing up, mostly Leafs. I loved Mats Sundin. Darcy Tucker was always in the corners and doing so much grit work. Steve Thomas was another one of my favourites. These were all guys who did different things but they were elite players to me. Mats Sundin behind the net was a force being able to protect the puck the way he did.

Is there one current player, not on the Leafs, who you love watching? Someone who you’re always shocked by every time you see their highlights?

Alex Ovechkin’s shot is crazy. Just watching him release the puck is pretty wild. When I’m out there against him on the penalty kill, I try not to let him take too many. But whenever he gets a shot off like he can and you watch the highlights, you’re just like, “How did he do that?”

Before making it to the NHL, what was your greatest hockey memory as a player?

Probably in school at the University of Michigan. Just being with my class going through four years with them and graduating with those guys, that was pretty special. Our last game at Yost Arena is something I’ll always remember. During my senior year in 2015, we won the Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit which was a lot of fun. Senior year, overall, was one of my favourite hockey memories before making the NHL.

What’s it like playing with Auston Matthews? Is he really as good as everyone says?

[Laughs.] Yeah, I mean, I think he’s better than most people gave him credit for. It’s kind of self-explanatory [when you see] what he does on the ice. He’s just an elite talent and does things that most guys can’t do.

Did you get to come to a lot of Leafs games as a kid?

Yes, I did.

What’s your favourite Leafs memory growing up?

Wow, there are a lot. I’d have to say Mats Sundin’s 500th career goal. That slapshot, hat trick, shorthanded against Calgary, an overtime winner. I remember watching that. I wasn’t there for that game, but I remember watching that and thinking, “What a way to get your 500th goal.”

Has it hit you yet that you’re playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Ah, yeah, it’s awesome. I mean, when you are actually playing the games you don’t really think about those things. You kind of just go out there and try to do your job. But when you take a step back and just think about it, it’s kind of surreal being able to play for my hometown team. A lot of things had to line up for that to have happened, so it’s pretty wild.

What’s one thing about being in the NHL that has surprised you?

Just probably, in general, how incredible our staff is. Our equipment managers and our athletic trainers, they do more than you’d ever think. They’re above and beyond what I expected and we’re really fortunate to have staff like that taking care of us. They make sure you’re ready no matter what you need, so they’ve been awesome.

You are an accomplished children’s literature author which is certainly not common among NHL players. Where did you passion for writing develop?

Growing up I just always loved making up stories and writing. I had four younger brothers, so we were always joking around and playing around. I liked children’s books growing up as well, so I just wanted to write and it kind of developed from there.

Your two published stories so far — Hockey Hero and The Bambino and Me — focus on self-belief and look to instil a can-do attitude in their readers. The way you play sort of personifies that belief in yourself. What led you to believing you could achieve your dream of getting to the NHL?

Thanks for noticing that, that’s 100 per cent it. It’s something that my parents always instilled in me, just that belief and confidence in myself. When you put in the work and you give it your all, it helps you believe in yourself, and when you have that belief you can do the things you want. That’s kind of the message that I want to instil in kids, that if they believe in themselves, they can achieve their dreams whether it be in athletics and hockey or in professional jobs — whatever it is they want to do.

If you aren’t watching hockey, what sport do you most enjoy?

Football. Big NFL fan. That was a crazy Green Bay-Dallas game [on Sunday]. I have a fantasy league with my buddies and I drafted Dak Prescott, so I’ve been a big fan of his this season. I drafted him at the beginning of the year so I’ve been pretty happy to see how he’s been doing. It’s a keeper league so I got him pretty cheap.

Do you have a team you root for?

Well, one of my brothers is a big Buffalo Bills fan.

Sorry to hear that!

Yeah, I know! They’ve got a new coach now so hopefully they figure it out. But, really, I just love watching football.