The Toronto Maple Leafs forward has some custom skates with a distinct Florida feel for the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game at FLA Live Arena on Saturday.
Marner, who will play for the Atlantic Divison team on Saturday, helped dream up the design, which is a beach theme over a pastel pink boot. On each tongue is the All-Star Game logo and inside each boot is the Eastern Conference logo.
Marner's big customization? Adding his dog, Zeus, to the mix.
"(Zeus) riding a croc, one riding a shark and then just the city outlines," Marner said. "The white look I think looks sick though. That's just kind of the idea of them. I wanted to do something cool for the All Star game, don't really get to customize a lot of stuff as hockey players."
The True brand skates were on display at Maple Leafs practice on Tuesday. Were they a hit? Well, it depends on who you ask.
"A couple guys said it was pretty juicy looking, a couple guys were chirping me but that's what usually happens with our team," Marner said. "I think everyone probably likes them but they're never going to say it to your face because it's better just to make fun of you and chirp you. That's how this team rolls."
While he won't be wearing them for a regular season game, trying them out at practice was a must, but did come with it's challenges.
"(Alexander Kerfoot) and (Justin Holl) were trying to get some scuff marks on them early," Marner said. "It's going to happen eventually but I'll try to keep them as white as possible until Saturday or Friday."
- NHL.com Independent Correspondent Dave McCarthy contributed to this report.
