Patrik Laine Reveals How Jake McCabe Gave His "Welcome to the NHL" Moment
Patrik Laine's rookie season was with the Winnipeg Jets and during a game against the Buffalo Sabres, Jake McCabe welcomed him to the league in brutal fashion.
Almost a decade ago, Patrik Laine had his rookie season in the NHL and while it was a successful one, it came with some big challenges.
One such challenge was the physicality, something that he learned quickly thanks to none other than Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe.
Patrik Laine on Jake McCabe and his big hits
During an appearance on Spittin Chiclets, Patrik Laine was brutally honest about the role that McCabe played in his career early on.
As he the Canadiens star explains, the hardest he was hit in his rookie season was by McCabe who absolutely lit him up and had him hurting.
I remember getting a backhand pass from Mark Scheifele, and then my next memory is waking up in the room. In between? Nothing. I have no clue what happened. That was interesting.
That was kinda like, Welcome to the league, little kid.»
If you are a Maple Leafs fan, this news is not that surprising given just how effective McCabe has been this season.
He has been a major reason behind the Maple Leafs' success and some believe he has been the best defenseman on the team so far this season.
As for Laine, his campaign with the Montreal Canadiens has been very successful and some believe he has turned over a new leaf entirely.
Overall, it is cool to see both of these players thriving and we hope that continues for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, fans can watch McCabe on the Maple Leafs tonight as they take on their bitter Atlantic Division rival, the Ottawa Senators.
