When Wayne Gretzky speaks, his words always carry weight in the hockey world—especially when they’re directed at a specific player. This time, the hockey legend made a personal call to one of Auston Matthews‘ teammates to offer some valuable advice on his birthday.
According to Mark Masters, Gretzky called Max Domi on March 2, the day the player turned 30. Domi has been with the Toronto Maple Leafs since 2023, playing alongside Matthews as a center/winger. Last season, he appeared in 80 games.
During the call, Gretzky not only wished him a happy birthday but also encouraged him to be more aggressive in scoring goals—and Domi wasted no time in following that advice. He found the back of the net in Toronto’s 6-5 victory over the Penguins, bringing his season total to four goals.
Gretzky had told Domi he would be watching the game, and after scoring, Domi dedicated the goal to his idol, saying, “That one was for him … He makes me so proud to be Canadian.” Along with his goal, Domi logged 12:18 minutes on ice and recorded two shots.
Max Domi #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on January 18, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 7-3.
Domi: A Young Veteran with Playoff Experience
Though only 30, Domi is already a 10-year NHL veteran since making his debut with the Arizona Coyotes in 2015. This is his second stint with a Canadian team, having played for the Montreal Canadiens from 2018 to 2020. His first season in Montreal remains his best offensive campaign, as he posted a career-high 28 goals and 44 assists.
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Domi also has valuable playoff experience. Most recently, he suited up for the Maple Leafs in the 2023-24 postseason, scoring one goal in seven games. Over his career, he has appeared in 50 playoff games, tallying seven goals, with his most significant playoff run coming with the Dallas Stars in 2022-23.
