New Leaf defenceman Frank Corrado joined Sekeras and Price on TSN1040 to discuss joining the Maple Leafs and what transpired in Vancouver this preseason.
Just take our listeners through the last 48 hours in your life.
Frank Corrado: I mean, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. Obviously, I had a meeting with the management there and they told me they didn’t see enough in preseason to earn a roster spot. That’s fine; that’s their decision. That’s how it goes sometimes. So, I was placed on waivers and came home to Toronto to see what happened. Regardless, even if I cleared, I’d have to go home to go to Utica. I got the news this morning that Toronto had picked me up. It was a whirlwind of emotions.
How blindsided were you by the Canucks’ decision?
Corrado: I guess you can never really be surprised in this business. At the end of the day, it is a business. I thought I did everything I could in the last two years to show that I deserved an opportunity to play in the NHL. You go to the rink every day, and you go to the minors, and you work hard to get better. But, at the end of the day, that wasn’t the case in Vancouver. That’s fine. It leads me to a new opportunity and a new chapter in my life. I met a lot of great people in Vancouver and had a great opportunity there. It really got my career started, so there is a lot of people in Vancouver that I need to thank. But, yeah, it’s a new opportunity. Sometimes change can be good.
When you’re in a camp like this, and you’re trying to get into the top six, you’re competing against the guys on your team. You have to compare yourself to the guys on your team. Was that a daily process? Did you go to sleep and wonder, “was I better than Matt Bartkowski today? Was I better than Ben Hutton today?” Is that what goes through your head?
Corrado: You look at it, you see how some guys play, and you always know how you play yourself. You look at yourself in the mirror and say, “okay, I know I was good tonight. I played my game tonight.” And then there’s other nights where you can say, “well, I didn’t quite have it.” I think I’ve always been a player – wherever I’ve played at any level – where, if I can recognize early enough in a game that I might not have it tonight, you have to bring something else to the table. If the puck is not sitting well on your stick that night, you have to be able to do something else – be physical, block a shot. I think those are intangibles that I have in my game. Is four preseason games long enough to see the intangibles? I don’t know. That’s not my decision, but I know that over the course of the season, at any level I’ve played, I’ve been counted on and have been an important player to every team I’ve played on. Even though this decision happened, I still have confidence in my ability. I know the type of player I am and the type of player I can be in the future.
Based on your seasons in the AHL, it seemed like this year was sort of your year to make the next step to the NHL. Did you feel like you put your best foot forward in the end at this camp? Would you go back in time if you could?
Corrado: I have no regrets about anything. I think, if you look at the last 4-5 months, I finished playing hockey on June 13th of 2015. Now we’re in October, and I thought I had a good summer of training. Like I said, I believe that I did everything I could. I have no regrets. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the Canucks organization and bringing me in and giving me a chance to play. Now, the ball is in my court, and all I can do now is focus on my self and helping this team win and being the best player I can be. Coming to the rink everyday willing to learn, willing to work like I always have. I don’t think that’s ever changed. Just be myself and play my game.
How does the family, specifically big Sal, your father, feel about coming home to play for the Maple Leafs?
Corrado: I’m speechless. I broke down in tears today just finding out the news. I was at my grandparents’ house because my parents are away right now on their 25th wedding anniversary. I saw the news, and I just remember me and my grandmother were hugging in the kitchen and we were both in tears. It’s such a dream come true to have the opportunity to wear the Blue and White. It’s really special when you grow up in the area and know what the Leafs mean to this area and this city and even for this country. There is no doubt that the Leafs have the biggest fanbase in the country. It’s pretty mind blowing. It feels really special. It’s an honour and a privilege.
Tell everyone what the plans were, though, if you were a Vancouver Canuck with mom and dad here next week.
Corrado: If I was on the team, they were out in California on their 25th wedding anniversary doing the wine tours and all that stuff. They were going to time it so we could meet up and they could come watch us play in Anaheim and LA. But I think they’re just going to take those nights now and have a few more glasses of wine. Everyone is really excited. I’m sure I have a bunch of messages on my phone that I haven’t even seen yet. It’s a really cool time.
So you’re a Toronto Maple Leaf now. It means you have to get to know a new head coach. Mike Babcock seems nice.
Corrado: I mean, if you’re a player in the NHL, who better to learn from? How to win, and how to be a complete player in the NHL? It’s a great opportunity. My attitude is just to come in and be a sponge and learn as much as possible. These opportunities don’t come every day. It’s very special.
