The pre-game nap is a long-established tradition in the NHL. Dick Duff, who began his career with the Maple Leafs in 1955, once said pre-game naps were “another part of a player’s equipment, part of the ritual of getting ready.”
Chicago Blackhawks historian Bob Verdi said in 2013 that as much as hockey has changed, “…one thing that hasn't changed is the nap. The nap is part of the game.”
The young Leafs are no different. As they adjust to the rigours of life in the NHL, they rely on naps to keep them ready for games.