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Leafs Captain Auston Matthews has Identified Two Unexpected Training Camp Standouts

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Ryan Smitheram
September 21, 2024  (8:30)
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Marshall Rifai is proving himself at training camp so far
Photo credit: Steven Ellis

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has identified two players in training camp who have really stood out to him thus far, and they're not who you might think.

As training camp continues to roll on, the players are becoming more and more familiar with Craig Berube's new system, and some are taking to it better than others. According to Auston Matthews, two players who have really excelled so far are Marshall Rifai and Bobby McMann.

Rifai skated in two games for the Leafs last season and didn't look out of place, despite playing limited minutes. The 6'2, 205-pound blueliner is looking to show that he should be the first call-up on the blueline when the inevitable injuries occur. He has come into camp to compete at a different level in the eyes of Matthews.

"You can just see [Rifai] wants it and just continues to progress, and I've been pretty impressed with him and just the way he plays hard on both sides of the puck," said Matthews


After going from healthy scratch to scoring a hat-trick and becoming a mainstay in the Leafs' lineup in the second half of last season, McMann earned himself a two-year extension with the Leafs, which kicks in this season. Although he was injured and missed the Leafs' first-round series against the Boston Bruins, McMann is now healthy and raring to go through the opening days of training camp with Matthews comparing him to his linemate, Matthew Knies.

"You can just see him and Kniesy are kind of similar players. Just how strong they are, and big, and the skill set that they have to go along with it. I think those are gonna be a couple key guys for our team this year to help us take steps as well," Matthews continued.


McMann skated in 56 games with the Leafs last season scoring 15 goals and totaling 24 points. Heading into this season, McMann appears set to be a staple in the middle-six for the Leafs and will look to build on a very successful second half of the season and hopefully replace some of the scoring lost with the departure of Tyler Bertuzzi to the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Leafs Captain Auston Matthews has Identified Two Unexpected Training Camp Standouts

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