James van Riemsdyk Reveals something Interesting About He and Ex-Maple Leafs Teammates
Former Maple Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk has revealed something interesting about he and several of his former Toronto teammates.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare to chase their fourth consecutive win, this time against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a former Maple Leafs player has revealed that he is still very much in touch with some of his old Leafs teammates, with the group maintaining an active group chat with one another dating back to their time in Toronto.
According to Terry Koshan on X, Blue Jackets forward James van Riemsdyk spoke about his ongoing relationship with former Leafs teammates:
The last time van Riemsdyk, Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, Dion Phaneuf, Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, and Morgan Rielly all suited up together was during the 2014-15 season. Of that group, only Morgan Rielly remains with the Maple Leafs, while Phaneuf, Kessel, Gardiner, and Bozak are no longer active in the NHL.
Van Riemsdyk enjoyed a successful run with the Maple Leafs from 2012 to 2018 and is now playing for the Blue Jackets in a depth role, scoring 17 points in 40 games so far this season.
Among the players still in touch, Phil Kessel has transitioned to a new career path as a professional poker player in his life after hockey. Although Kessel attempted a comeback to the NHL, no team has signed him, which led to the career change.
As for Morgan Rielly, the lone surviving Maple Leaf from that era, he has seen his role diminished recently, logging less minutes, and has been involved in ongoing trade rumours.
