Tie Domi spent some of the best days of his NHL career with the New York Rangers, but the combination of the big city and a young, unbridled kid was a volatile mix.
"Yeah, they wouldn't allow me to live in the city," said Domi with a big smile, before, once again, revisiting his old haunts last night.
Now a veteran of 16 NHL seasons, Domi, the Leafs' second-round pick out of Peterborough in 1988, had first arrived in Manhattan, via trade, two years later at the tender age of 21.
But, while veterans like Brian Leetch, Mike Richter and Mark Messier were allowed to roam freely in the Big Apple, Domi roomed in an apartment across the Hudson River with fellow youngster Adam Graves.
"I spent a lot of time with those guys (Leetch, Richter, Messier)," Domi said. "I was young and full of energy. I have a lot of fond memories from those days that will stay with me for the rest of my life."
Domi remained in New York three seasons, with Messier assuming the role of friend, mentor and periodic disciplinarian.
One particular night, after Domi thrashed Bob Probert in a fight and played up to the rabid Garden crowd by pretending to have a heavyweight title belt around his waist, Messier pulled him aside.
The lecture that followed underlined to Domi that his antics were fine for the crowd, but not the sort of behaviour that garnered respect among players and management.
In his final year, Domi, still a terror on and off the ice, met his wife Leanne, and finally began the process of settling down.
"She moved in with me my final year (in New York)," said Domi. "She probably saved my life."
On this recent visit, he met up with former Ranger GM Neil Smith and shared a few moments about the old days, which included one of his best-ever career games on Feb. 6, 1991.
"I have the puck from that night," Domi said. "I was the second star against the Islanders, it was my first two-point game of my career and I beat up Ken Baumgartner a couple of times, which was a big deal back then.
"When I got off the ice after I was named the second star, Neil (Smith) came up to me and told me my father had died. It was one of the most memorable nights in my life."
Domi has been a Leaf the past 11 seasons but, before he signed his latest contract, he was approached by current Rangers GM Glen Sather, who discussed a solid role for Domi on what is now a first-place team.
"A lot of things went through my mind then," Domi said.
"But my heart was in Toronto and always will be. I didn't want to move my kids and my family. I want to remain a Leaf for the rest of my career."
