Reimer knows the way to San Jose

SAN JOSE, CA – James Reimer once said he’d like to play hockey in the California sunshine.  Well, he’s getting his wish.

On Saturday afternoon, the five-year veteran of the Toronto Maple Leafs was astounded by  the news that he had been traded to the San Jose Sharks, along with forward Jeremy Morin.  The Maple Leafs in return acquired netminder Alex Stalock, forward Ben Smith, and a conditional 2018 fourth-round draft pick.

“I’m excited; San Jose is a good team.” Reimer said in an official press release.  “They’re in the West so I don’t know too much about them.  But it’s a good opportunity to do some damage in the playoffs.”

At 11-12-7 with a .918 save percentage for the Leafs this season, the native of the small town of Morweena, Manitoba has spent his entire NHL career in Toronto.  Drafted at the number 99 spot in 2006, Reimer worked his way up from the ECHL Reading Royals and South Carolina Stingrays, where in 2009 he won all of his six games with two shutouts and an incredible 1.32 GAA. 

Reimer’s popularity in Toronto has been a result of his unprecedented character.  Described as a “quality person and a quality player” by GM Lou Lamoriello, Reimer was accessible to fans and active in a number of civic activities.  Perhaps the most well known one was actually born out of his short unpopularity in 2013 when some degenerate fans began blowing up his wife April’s Twitter account.  In the anti-cyber bullying campaign that resulted, April and James began rewarding certain lucky participants who would “Tweet Sweet” with sweet seats at the games.

“This city is phenomenal,” Reimer said of Toronto.  “Who knows what’s going to transpire in the future.  Obviously there have been some tough times.  But Toronto, the following they have, it’s been unbelievable.”

“I think James Reimer is gone but he’s not gone gone necessarily,” said Chris Johnston in a Sports Net segment just hours after the news.  “There’s a decent chance the Leafs look to bring this guy back on July 1.  He had been the longest tenured member of this team; very well respected and liked among his teammates and a good citizen in the community who really loved playing in Toronto.”

If he gets out there and starts hitting golf balls, we’ll see if that’s true.

Special thanks to mapleleafs.com, star.com, and CBC Sports

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