It's indescribable': University of Toronto student suits up for Toronto Maple Leafs | CTV News
TORONTO -- By day, he's a university student and the goalie for the University of Toronto's men's hockey team. By night, or at least for one night, he was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"I keep remembering little details every once in a while," Alex Bishop told CTV News Toronto. "Saying, oh, that was really cool, or that was really cool - but I think it'll definitely take a couple of days."
The morning after his NHL debut, Bishop admitted it still hadn't sunk in.
"It's not really something that you sit at home and think, 'oh, maybe I'll get to sit on an NHL bench tonight.' It just doesn't go through your head."
Bishop first heard of the potential opportunity on Friday morning through a message from his coach. The Leafs' Petr Mrázek was out with a groin injury, and the team's salary cap limitations prevented them from calling up a back-up goalie until Sunday.
Saturday morning he was on the ice, practicing with the team he's grown up idolizing.
"It was surreal for sure," Bishop said, adding that the players "were all very, very nice- like super welcoming."
As for taking shots from the professionals he usually watches on television, Bishop said it wasn't as daunting as one would think.
"As soon as you get on the ice, it's just hockey -- just different players and different shooters. I tried to just look at it that way but at the same time, try to soak it all in and say, I'm here, this is really cool."
But he admitted it was a different story when it came time to walk out onto the ice at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night as the Leafs faced the Ottawa Senators.
"Even just walking to the bench, there's fans on your left, fans on your right, the cameras are flashing, the horns are going crazy. It's something you've seen on TV, and even if you're at the game, you hear it, but to be experiencing it first hand, it's indescribable."
Bishop spent the game sitting at the end of the bench, never taking the ice. But he says that's just fine with him.
"I just don't think it really could have worked out better. I was able to be there the whole game and didn't have to go in, so, best-case scenario."