TORONTO (Nov. 22) — Yeah, I get it. The Maple Leafs, in this city, are more important than family, health and religion. But, let’s try, momentarily, to reel in some perspective. After every game in this National Hockey League season — mediocre, thus far, by recent Leaf standards — a scapegoat has been identified. Morgan Rielly, Anthony Stolarz and Max Domi have been the most–frequent culprits; the latter excoriated after a mental lapse in overtime enabled Columbus to prevail at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night. Domi, son of Tie, the legendary Leafs’ brawler, is a popular target. Especially after signing a four–year contract extension on July 1, 2024.

What no one, however, seems willing to acknowledge is that Max is the most–deserving of such a privilege among his Toronto teammates. Not necessarily according to performance. But, for the remarkable balance of health, nutrition and timing he must maintain as a Type–1 diabetic — a malady difficult to negotiate for the common man, let alone someone playing in the world’s best hockey league. Max detailed his medical odyssey with refreshing candor in a 2019 national bestseller NO DAYS OFF, written with my one–time colleague at The FAN–590, Jim Lang.

To favorably encounter his chronic condition each day is an ample challenge. To do so while skating for the Maple Leafs is monumental. Max has accomplished both… and rather well. But, his mother is rarely appeased. “I have complete faith and confidence in Max and his ability to keep on top of the disease,” Leanne Domi, Tie’s former wife, told me for this corner in 2021. “Still, I check on him all the time. Whenever I ask about his Insulin or blood levels, he says ‘Mummm!’ That’s my cue to stop. So, I try to not dwell on it. He’s actually quite amazing, the way he charts everything: his sleep; his nutrition; his blood levels. On top of the diabetes, he also has Celiac Disease and must avoid gluten products. So, me and Tie are always worried that everything in his life is balanced. He’s good at understanding that his parents need to know. Even if he’s determined to control his health independently.”

MAX DOMI WITH ARM AROUND HIS DEDICATED AND OFT–CONCERNED MOTHER, LEANNE.

Only a handful of NHL’ers have required such meticulous preparation before games. The most–famous, of course, was Hall–of–Fame center Bobby Clarke, who led the Philadelphia Flyers to consecutive Stanley Cup titles (1974, 1975) as the first of the 1967 expansion teams to win the NHL championship. The gifted and pugnacious native of Flin Flon, Manitoba suited up for 1,144 regular–season matches between 1969 and 1984, racking up 1,210 points while copping the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1972–73, 1974–75 and 1975–76. Absolutely astonishing for a Type–1 diabetic. Such other, less–known players as Luke Kunin, Nick Boynton, Cory Conacher and B.J. Crombeen have encountered the same challenge. To ensure appropriate blood–sugar levels, these athletes have established proper timing and nutritional balance throughout the day, aimed toward the puck drop at night.

If blood–sugar is too high (Hyperglacemia), there is risk of emergency health conditions that can lead to a diabetic coma. If too low (Hypoglacemia), it can produce confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Hardly commensurate with the potential health and injury hazards of non–diabetic skaters. Whereas most NHL’ers merely back–time their afternoon naps and pre–game meals, Type–1 diabetics must achieve a complicated balance… and maintain it throughourt the game. Once in action with the Maple Leafs tonight at Montreal, Max Domi will have worked the tricky stratagem for 757 regular–season games in the NHL. An incredible accomplishment that easily supplants goals, assists and points. Yet, fans and media recognize only performance. When Domi’s blunder led to Adam Fantili’s game–winner on Thursday (completing a hattrick for the Nobleton, Ont. native), whatever health gymnastics Max encountered throughout the day were ignored, requiring a stern mia culpa. “I was trying to make a play — and that’s a play where you have to execute,” he said of his gamble in overtime. “That’s 100% on me and I’ll take accountability there. Gotta be better.” Nothing matters around here, of course, but the result. And, Max took quite a frying for his mistake. As for his lifelong diabetic condition? Meh. The standings are more significant.

When Domi appears to have a lapse in judgement on the ice, leading to a scoring chance for the opposition or a poorly timed fracas, observers chalk it up to a lack of wisdom. No one bothers to wonder whether his blood–sugar level was temporarily out of whack. If you make it to the NHL and reel in big bucks, there are no excuses. Performance is the lone measuring stick. In Max’s case, there are legitimate reasons for both good and bad games. The former requires that he maintain a proper balance throughout the night. The latter can occur when blood–sugar equilibrium is not in sinc. Even for a few moments. Yet, there is nary a mention of this challenge in either circumstance. Just the typical and common praise or criticism encountered by virtually all pro athletes.

I can guarantee that Max is the last person on the planet seeking sympathy for lack of performance. Or, messing up at the wrong time. From the very outset, he has recognized the ongoing, minute–by–minute challenge of being a Type–1 diabetic. It would be highly appropriate for the rest of us to consider his complicated circumstance.

Even if only once in awhile.

FROM THE (DAN DIAMOND) VAULT…

Long–time hockey fans will recognize Dan Diamond (above with me) for producing the Official NHL Guide & Record Book from 1983–84 to its final published edition in 2017–18. After which the league switched to a digital, on–line format. Sadly, Dan’s wife passed away last January. He chose to move out of the Wychwood Park home they shared… and offered me a box of memorabilia that contained some golden hockey items. As pictured here:

 
BOUND EDITIONS OF THE EARLIEST NHL GUIDES, INCLUDING THE FIRST–SUCH ITEM (ABOVE), IN 1947–48, TO ACCOMPANY THE MORE–RECENT BOOKS (BELOW) ALREADY IN MY VAST COLLECTION.

 
EVEN IF IN RATHER DELICATE CONDITION, THIS HOCKEY GUIDE FROM 83 YEARS AGO RANKS AMONG THE OLDEST ITEMS NOW IN MY COLLECTION. IMAGINE BUYING A HOCKEY PUBLICATION TODAY FOR 25 CENTS. THE NHL, IN 1942, WAS MERELY A QUARTER–CENTURY OLD. PICTURED ON THE COVER WAS BOSTON BRUINS CAPTAIN AUBREY (DIT) CLAPPER. NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOKLET (BELOW) WAS A BIOGRAPHY OF FRANK CALDER, WHO PRESIDED OVER THE NHL FROM ITS INCEPTION (IN 1917) TO 1943, AFTER WHICH CLARENCE CAMPBELL ASSUMED THE REIGNS. THE ANNUAL TROPHY AWARDED (SINCE 1932–33) TO THE LEAGUE’S TOP ROOKIE IS NAMED FOR CALDER.

 
IN 1942, MAPLE LEAF GARDENS WAS ONLY 11 YEARS OLD. DETROIT’S OLYMPIA STADIUM, 15 YEARS.

 
JIM HENDY’S 1950 NHL GUIDE FEATURED A PAIR OF RELATIVE NEWCOMERS TO THE NHL (BELOW).

EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM