When a young hockey star plays in a passionate city like Toronto, pressure is expected—but sometimes, it crosses a line. That’s exactly what happened with Mitch Marner and his family. While the Maple Leafs forward has always dealt with criticism on the ice, a recent report has revealed just how far things went off the ice.
From verbal abuse in public to serious concerns about safety and privacy, the treatment Marner’s family received has left many fans and insiders stunned. On an episode of Atom Bomb – The Chris Johnston Show, host Julian McKenzie and NHL insider Chris Johnston discussed a range of topics.
They talked about the troubling reality of what Marner and his family experienced while living in Toronto.
Mitch Marner and Family Faced Harassment That Went Beyond Criticism
Marner has always been under a microscope in Toronto, but according to Johnston, the scrutiny went far beyond hockey criticism; it became deeply personal and even crossed into harassment.
Johnston claimed that, over the years, Marner faced intense backlash for the Maple Leafs’ lack of playoff success, and his family also became targets of that frustration. While Marner was often the face of the criticism, his loved ones were dragged into it, something no athlete should have to deal with.
Johnston explained that some of the incidents Marner dealt with “bordered on harassment” and made things extremely uncomfortable for both him and those close to him. It wasn’t just about angry tweets or booing in the arena. It became personal, emotional, and at times, overwhelming.
”And it was very uncomfortable for him and people he cares about. Mitch kind of bristled at his family being brought into it,” Johnston said. “There’s even an incident after a game that we’re not going to get into because I don’t want to give it more life.”
In cities with passionate fan bases like Toronto, the line between support and obsession can blur. But when criticism shifts from the rink to someone’s personal life, and especially their family, it’s no longer about the game.
This insight gives fans and media a moment to reflect. Holding players accountable is part of sports, but when it begins to affect their mental health and the safety or comfort of their families, it’s time to pause and ask: Are we taking this too far?
Nonetheless, Marner still pushes on as a staple of the Maple Leafs franchise.
How Mitch Marner Became a Toronto Staple
The Leafs drafted Marner with the fourth overall pick of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. And it wasn’t long before Marner made his presence felt for the organization.
Playing the final year of his OHL contract with the London Knights after the Leafs selected him, Marner was named co-captain and helped lead the Knights to the playoffs as the highest-scoring team in the league. But he wasn’t done yet.
Marner led the OHL playoffs in scoring and was integral in the Knights winning the OHL Championship in 2016 before officially joining the Leafs.
It was immediately thereafter that Marner became a staple with Toronto. During his debut season, Marner notched 61 points which is, to date, his lowest point total for a season yet, proving just how dominant he has been since his debut.
From his rookie season to present day, excluding the off-ice drama that has followed, Marner’s time in Toronto has been highlight after highlight.
For a player who averages over 82 points per season and stayed loyal to the franchise, it’s rather telling how fans could even think to turn against a player like Marner.
Mitch Marner is just one player on the Toronto Maple Leafs team and can’t be help fully accountable for the leafs lack of success in the playoffs. Ever since he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs he has been a very big part of their success. The playoffs are a different beast and it takes the full team to win and not just one player. Anyone who thinks that the leafs loss was Marners fault is delusional there are 20 + players on a team that takes credit for winning and losing is also the responsibility of the whole team not just one player. Mitch Marner is the most versatile player that the leagues have on the team. Keep in mine that he not only plays 5 on 5 but also plays on the penalty kill and power play and the only position he doesn’t play is goalie which he has saved a few goals when the team was trail and playing 6 on 5 when the team had the goalie on the bench for the fifth skater.
The fans that take shots at Mitch Marner and his family for the lack of success the leafs have in the playoffs should take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror and hope that he stays with the leafs and not moved to another team here he becomes the leaf killer that he has the potential to do so. The leafs should try to sign him and continue to build around him.
First off, I’ve been a leaf fan 55 years now. I watch almost every game. To me, missing the playoffs is brutal. When they make the playoffs, I’m happy. Whether they win or not in the playoffs doesn’t really matter much to me. Some fans go way to far thinking the leafs should win the Stanley cup. Once the season starts every teams has just over a 3% chance to win the cup. Once you make the playoffs, the team has a just over a 6% chance to win the cup. Not great odds at all. Some fans are delusional, carry things way to far. Sport are for entertainment. Attacking players personal lives is crossing the lines. Get a life and enjoy sports for what they are, entertainment.