Toronto Marlies celebrate Calder Cup victory, calling it 'destiny'

The Toronto Marlies basked in the glory of their Calder Cup championship, celebrating with an enthusiastic crowd at Real Sports Bar & Grill. This victory marks the second time in franchise history the team has claimed the American Hockey League's top prize, having previously won in 2018.

Captain Logan Shaw attributed the win to the team's strong bond and unwavering belief in one another. "We just care. We believed in each other and we worked hard. We had fun, we enjoyed it, we enjoyed coming to the rink every single day," Shaw stated. He emphasized that no one in the dressing room had previously won at this level, fostering a collective commitment to achieving the goal.

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We just care. We believed in each other and we worked hard. We had fun, we enjoyed it, we enjoyed coming to the rink every single day.

The Marlies clinched the title by defeating the Chicago Wolves 4-3 in a hard-fought Game 5. Shaw acknowledged the role of luck in their playoff run, noting that players battled through injuries and that many who didn't play in the regular season stepped up with crucial performances. "We had guys score big goals when they had to score. We had goalies make big saves when they had to," he added.

Vinni Lettieri's power-play goal late in the second period proved to be the decisive blow against the Wolves. Lettieri expressed gratitude to the fans, declaring, "We're champions today, tomorrow and forever and we etched our names in history, and we couldn't have done it without you guys, so thank you."

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No one’s ever won at this level in that dressing room before, so everyone really bought in and trusted that we would get the job done.

Goaltender Artur Akhtyamov, who made 27 saves in the final game, was named MVP of the playoffs, earning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy. Marlies General Manager Ryan Hardy reflected on the team's accomplishment, calling it "incredible and really special." He added that the team's success felt like "destiny" as the momentum built throughout the season.

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To win, you got to get lucky for sure. We had some luck throughout playoffs. We had guys battle through injuries and all the guys that wouldn’t have played in the regular season.

Head coach John Gruden pointed to the "brotherly bond" among the players as a key factor. He recalled observing players socializing off the ice, noting the absence of cliques and the genuine sense of unity. "It was a team and that, you can't fake. So, when I saw that, I knew we were going to win this thing," Gruden said.

Long-time fan Vinay Sharma, who also witnessed the 2018 championship, described the experience as a "full-circle moment." He highlighted the competitive nature of hockey and the immense effort required both on and off the ice, making the team's unity and success something to celebrate.

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We’re champions today, tomorrow and forever and we etched our names in history, and we couldn’t have done it without you guys, so thank you.