Matthew Knies has come alive after breaking out of a big scoring drought. Can the Leafs forward continue to produce offensively on the top line? Bobby McMann got to live out his dream two years ago when he suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs in his NHL debut on Jan. 11, 2023. His father, Cecil, and mother, Connie, made it just in time to Toronto to watch their son take part in the game. That's when the McMann family also found out that the team was embarking on their annual fathers' trip, and Cecil got to come along for the ride. Two years later, the fathers' trip is now a mentors' trip. Players and Toronto Maple Leafs staff are invited to bring a family member or friend who has had a big impact on their lives. Bobby McMann chose to invite his older sister, Jaclyn, for the trip. "She's followed my hockey journey all along, Been involved in a lot of important decisions, especially hockey-wise and where I'm going to be and where I was going to play all the way growing up," McMann said of his sister. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlyqu0n_xUU[/embed] Like any older sibling, Jaclyn was protective of Bobby, but always in a positive way. Bobby said he even lived with his older sister for one summer. She even helped with Bobby's schoolwork and essay writing while the player was attending Colgate University. "A lot of times when I was just indecisive on what to do and in situations. It just goes a really long way when you feel like you're maybe alone a little bit," McMann said. "It's nice to have that sibling to bounce ideas off of and talk through things." It's clear all of McMann's influences in his life have helped him get to where he is today. As an undrafted junior player, McMann was signed to a two-year AHL contract by the Toronto Marlies in 2020, where he quickly established himself as a top-six forward in that group. He signed his first NHL-level contract in 2022 and signed a two-year, $2.7 million contract extension last season. Under new head coach Craig Berube, McMann started the season as a healthy scratch, but quickly proved himself too valuable to be sat. With 12 goals and five assists in 34 games this season, McMann's size and speed have been his strongest assets, making him a valuable power forward for the club. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNjM5NDEwNTc4NDM0MDI0/googlenews.svg] Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwytvfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
