The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to begin the 2026-27 NHL season having undergone a massive overhaul under the leadership of new general manager John Chayka, who has revamped not only their coaching staff and front office but made several changes on the ice in terms of player personnel.
However, one player who remains with the club is veteran forward Max Domi, who is set to enter his fourth season with the organization. And while he’s out indefinitely owing to complications from offseason back surgery, he’s gotten a major life update of the positive variety.
He’s confirmed his engagement to girlfriend Estelle Phillips with a short and sweet message on Instagram: “She said yes!”
And immediately, messages of congratulations began pouring in, including from Domi’s former Maple Leafs teammate Mitch Marner, who wrote the following: “Yes sirrr!! Congrats Guys!! ❤️❤️🔥🔥”
Newly-engaged Max Domi Is Entering His Fourth Season With The Toronto Maple Leafs
Domi, who is the son of beloved former Maple Leafs enforcer Tie Domi, is set to enter his fourth season with the franchise after being acquired as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023.
However, Domi is currently unavailable and is listed as being out indefinitely following complications from offseason surgery.
According to what general manager John Chayka had to say in the second week of July, the club will have a better idea of a long-term diagnosis when Training Camp opens up in September.
“He’s progressing, which is the best news for everyone. He’ll come to camp. We’ll get kind of a more firm view at that point. I think Max is gonna be a big part of this, when that occurs is just a guess,” Chayka said.
It was more of a positive update than what he’d offered previously.
“Max is a tough situation, obviously he’s a special person and loves the Leafs, and we love him,” said Chayka. He had a procedure, didn’t go the way we had hoped. He played through some injuries … tough kid, but ultimately we’ll get to training camp and assess him from there. … He embodies being a Toronto Maple Leaf and cares and really wants to be here for the good times, so we’re going to support him, like all our players, and make sure he’s in a good spot.”
Max Domi Is An NHL Veteran Of Over 800 NHL Games
Domi, the son of former Maple Leafs forward Tie Domi, made a name for himsel with the London Knights after being traded there following his eighth-overall selection in the 2011 OHL Draft. He quickly became a top prospect, helping London win consecutive OHL titles before going on to win international gold with Canada at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial and 2015 World Junior Championship, where he was named Best Forward and an All-Star.
He’d be taken by the Arizona Coyotes in the first round (13th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft, where he would play until being traded to the Montreal Canadiens.
Since then, he’s played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, and Dallas Stars before signing a one-year deal with Toronto in 2023. He would later be extended by now-former Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving to a four-year contract in June 2024.
Mitch Marner Reacts To Former Leafs Teammate Max Domi’s Life-Changing Announcement