Mental Makeup on the Ice: Why the Toronto Maple Leafs (and Pro Athletes) Deserve a Team Therapist

I grew up with hockey games constantly on in our household. My dad is one of the biggest Toronto Maple Leafs fans out there. I have this core memory of us watching a game together when I was a little girl and the Leafs were down by a goal. With only seconds left on the clock, my dad stood up and said, “That’s it! The game’s over,” fully ready to accept the loss. But then—miraculously—the Leafs scored. We both cheered and celebrated like we’d just won the Cup.

That moment stuck with me. It was a powerful early lesson in hope, surprise, and the emotional rollercoaster of being a fan. It showed me the joy, the sense of community, and the much-needed distraction that sports can bring to our lives.

Recently, I attended a Leafs away game in California and was stunned by the sea of blue and white. There were Leafs fans everywhere. At one point during intermission, as I was trying to squeeze past someone in our row, he joked, “Alright, I’ll let you pass—but only because you’re a Leafs fan.” That made me smile. This team brings people together, no matter where you are in the world. And I love that.

So when I heard a commentator talk about goaltender Joseph Woll’s “mental makeup” during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it got me thinking: maybe the Leafs could use a social worker on staff.

I’m only half kidding. But the truth is, a therapist could be a huge asset to any pro team—especially during high-stress, high-stakes moments like the playoffs. We put so much focus on physical endurance and athletic ability, but the psychological side of performance is just as important. Mental makeup isn’t a fixed trait—it’s something that can be supported and strengthened.

Helping Athletes Handle the Pressure

There’s something different about the energy during playoff games. The intensity is turned up. Every shot, every mistake, every shift feels magnified. The team carries the expectations of fans, coaches, the media, and each other. That’s a heavy mental load.

Watching from home, I’m doing deep breathing just to regulate my own nervous system—my dad, meanwhile, gets up and does arm curls and kicks his legs around, shouting at the screen. If we’re this stressed at home, how are the players coping?

A therapist could help players make space for that pressure instead of letting it eat away at their confidence or sense of self.

Building Coping Strategies and Mental Skills

In fast-moving, high-stakes games, players need tools to stay grounded and bounce back quickly. That could mean affirmations or using somatic techniques like breathwork, body scans, or even short visualization exercises to reset between shifts. Therapists and sport psychologists often draw from mindfulness, CBT, and ACT to help athletes improve focus, emotional regulation, and adaptability.

It’s not about avoiding mistakes—it’s about staying connected to yourself when things don’t go as planned.

Addressing Mental Fatigue and Burnout

Especially in long playoff runs or seasons with high media scrutiny (looking at you, Toronto), mental fatigue and burnout are real. Just like physical recovery, mental recovery is crucial. The pressure to be “on” all the time—both on the ice and in front of cameras—can be draining. Therapy can create space to decompress and recalibrate. Recognizing and supporting emotional and cognitive recovery could be a game-changer.

Self-Talk and Inner Dialogue

That inner voice matters. Are players reinforcing confidence or spiralling into self-doubt after a bad shift? Self-talk plays a huge role in performance. Therapy can help rewire that internal narrative into something more supportive, realistic, and motivating—especially during critical moments when the stakes feel high.

Supporting Communication and Connection

Emotional intelligence matters on the ice just like physical skill does. When athletes can express their needs, give and receive feedback, and stay connected through conflict or stress, team cohesion strengthens. A therapist could support healthier communication patterns both on and off the ice, creating a culture of openness and trust—key ingredients in any high-performing team.

Creating Healthier Team Dynamics

Team dynamics don’t happen by accident. Behind every shift change, every pep talk, every practice is a web of relationships. Sometimes those dynamics get strained—especially when the pressure is high or changes are happening behind the scenes. Having a therapist available to work with the team system as a whole could help address those moments before they become bigger issues.

If there’s conflict brewing between teammates or something unspoken impacting morale, a therapist can act as a neutral party to help navigate that. Sometimes, just naming what’s happening in the room can be a turning point.

Supporting Players’ Identities Beyond the Rink

Many athletes link their self-worth to performance—how many minutes they played, whether they scored, what the media is saying. A therapist can help players explore identity outside of hockey. Who are you when you’re not in uniform? What do you care about? What brings you joy?

This becomes especially important when facing injuries, career transitions, or retirement. Therapy can help athletes stay grounded in their values, not just their stats.

Challenging the “Tough It Out” Mentality

The hockey world is slowly becoming more open to mental health conversations, but stigma still lingers. There’s this idea that being mentally tough means being silent, pushing through, and not needing help. But real mental strength includes knowing when to ask for support. A therapist could help normalize that mindset—both behind the scenes and out in the open.

Recognizing the Progress Already Made

With that said, let’s also honour the steps taken in recent years by the Toronto Maple Leafs to prioritize mental health within the organization. From participating in league-wide initiatives like Hockey Talks, which aims to break the stigma around mental health in hockey, to working with mental performance coaches and other wellness professionals, the team has shown an understanding that performance isn’t just physical—it’s psychological too.

Several players have spoken openly about the importance of mental wellness, helping to normalize conversations about anxiety, pressure, and emotional wellbeing in a high-performance environment. Mitch Marner emphasized the significance of seeking support, stating, “Never be afraid to reach out. Call someone. Ask people how they’re doing…You got a lot of people around you that love you and want to talk to you and make sure you’re OK.”

What I’m Left With

It’s hard to turn off my therapist brain when I’m watching a Leafs game. I catch myself wondering what kind of conversations are happening in the locker room between periods, how each player copes with the pressure, and what support systems are (or aren’t) in place.

Being a Leafs fan runs deep. And I believe that true support means showing up for the whole person—not just the athlete, but the human underneath it all.

So if the Leafs ever want to add a therapist to the lineup, you know where to find me.