Music: {allcanada} 'I knew my place': Determined Groulx eager for Maple Leafs debut

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

{allcanada} 'I knew my place': Determined Groulx eager for Maple Leafs debut

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MONTRÉAL — Benoit-Olivier Groulx is the happiest man in the Toronto Maple Leafs dressing room, and it's not particularly close.

The 26-year-old, Quebec-raised centreman was recalled from the Marlies Tuesday and is set to make his Leafs debut at Bell Centre (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 7 p.m. ET) after battling injury and honing his craft in the minors since the 65 scattered games he played (and one goal scored) for the Anaheim Ducks from 2021-22 through 2023-24.

While coach Craig Berube wouldn't confirm Groulx's place in the lineup, the forward has invited 10 friends and family members to Montreal for the occasion (and projected scratch Calle Järnkrok put in extra work at morning skate).

"It would mean a lot to them. They know what I've been through the past two years, especially with injuries and getting called up, sent down, not playing, not knowing where I'm going to be," Groulx said.

"It's been difficult the past two years, but I think if I get the chance to play, it's going to be really rewarding to see all the work that I put in over the past two years, coming back in the NHL.

"It'd be as rewarding for them and for me, as they supported me for those two years."

Groulx was selected in the second round of the 2018 draft by Anaheim, where he played 65 NHL games over three seasons and saw more ice down with the AHL San Diego Gulls.

"I was so young my first two years in the NHL," Groulx explained. "It didn't work out as I expected. But there was never really a moment when I was like, 'Oh, this is my last game. I'm done. I'm going to Europe.'

"It wasn't my thought process at all. I knew my place. Like, I knew what I could do in the NHL that I wasn't able to do, I guess."

A focus on improving his offensive skills while maintaining his defensive responsibilities, Groulx believes, has led to this post-deadline promotion in Toronto.

He leads all Marlies with 27 goals and 50 points through 54 games.

Speed, Groulx said, is his greatest asset.

The Maple Leafs could use that jump. And, mired in a seven-game losing skid, they might as well peek in the cupboards.

"Well, we want to see guys, right? We want to see what they're all about and where they're at in their game. He's had a very good year down in the minors," Berube said.

"Very intelligent player. He's a smart guy. Student of the game. And what surprised me is, he went down to the minors and had a very good offensive year."

What better place to make an NHL return than Montreal for a Gatineau, Que., kid who surely grew up a Habs fan ...

"Unfortunately, I didn't," Groulx said, smiling. "I grew up a Sabres fan, just because Danny Briere was there, and he's from back home in Gatineau. So, I always liked the Sabres, and Ryan Miller used to be my favourite goalie."

Well, play fast enough this week, and there's no reason Groulx won't still be in the lineup when the Leafs head off to Buffalo Saturday.