Instead of his usual role as Maple Leafs enforcer, Tie Domi tried a new hat on for size. Wearing a red jersey and Santa hat, Domi and wife Leanne spread holiday cheer to 80 children from Toronto hostels yesterday at the Air Canada Centre.

"The atmosphere this year is great," Domi said. "The kids get to have fun and run around."

The enthusastic group watched the Leafs practise while eating pizza and anxiously awaiting their hockey hero.

Domi presented each child with a bag of holiday presents, an autographed picture and a chance to get their own picture taken with him.

"Tie Domi is a good guy, he likes charity a lot and is a good player," eight-year-old Davince Ross said.

Besides meeting one of their hockey favourites, this was the first trip to the ACC for most of the group.

"It was one of the only days we did not have to go up and get the kids. They were all downstairs and wide awake early this morning," daycare counsellor Mary Kiriakou said.

Before handing out their gifts, Domi was presented with three different "thank you" posters from each of the hostels.

"This is something I plan on doing for the rest of my career and after that," Domi said.

Domi has been involved with Santa on Wheels for seven years. The City of Toronto program gives more than 4,000 new toys to children spending the holidays in hostels.