Most kids dream of becoming a professional athlete, but few get to see that dream come true. NHL forward Steven Lorentz, however, is living proof that some dreams do come full circle. Growing up in Ontario, Lorentz learned to skate almost as soon as he could walk, with a passion for hockey that started early and grew stronger as he played youth hockey in Waterloo before advancing to the OHL.
In 2015, the Carolina Hurricanes took a chance on Lorentz, selecting him in the seventh round of the NHL Draft. His path wasn’t easy—he spent years grinding between the ECHL and AHL before finally making his NHL debut in 2021. After a stint with San Jose, he joined the Florida Panthers last season, where he earned his first Stanley Cup title. Yet, with limited opportunities on the ice, the Panthers declined to re-sign him, making him a free agent. That’s when the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team he grew up cheering for, invited him to training camp. Lorentz seized the opportunity, eventually earning a one-year contract with his childhood team.
On Tuesday, Lorentz made his Leafs debut unforgettable, bouncing back from Toronto’s season-opening loss to Montreal by helping secure a 4-2 victory over the Devils. His goal and assist earned him First Star honors and brought his childhood dream to life. After the game, the team shared a heartwarming throwback photo of young Lorentz in Leafs pajamas, standing proudly in front of a Mats Sundin poster. Lorentz added his own twist, posting a picture of his middle school yearbook, where he had boldly predicted he’d play for the Leafs one day.
From a kid in Leafs pajamas to a key player on the ice, Lorentz’s story is one for the ages, proving that sometimes dreams do come true.
