Auston Matthews on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ secret ‘Coffee Gang’, Amazon All or Nothing docuseries and learning from playoff failures

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One of Amazon Prime Video’s latest revelations is that All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs The fact that the players have an ultra-exclusive “Coffee Gang” is a little-known fact.

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Despite the fact that he led the team in scoring with 41 goals and 25 assists last season, superstar centre Auston Matthews isn’t a member of the “hush, hush” members-only club.

In a video call after his first practice with the team since undergoing wrist surgery in August, Matthews says, “Those guys take it to another level.”

Mitch Marner, former Leafs Nick Foligno and Zach Hyman, and the rest of the “Gang” have even given their secret brew crew a name: Cafe Med-3.

“It all started with the French press and the kettle,” says Paul Ayotte, head athletic therapist. “Now we have a trunk that holds everything.”

“It seems a little intense for me,” goalie Jack Campbell “I just go to the lounge and get a cup of Timmies.” humour

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Amazon wanted to bring the concept to the NHL with a five-episode series focusing on the Leafs, following previous editions that focused on New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team, soccer’s Manchester City and Brazil national team, and several NFL clubs, including the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.

The docuseries (available now on Amazon Prime Video) follows general manager Kyle Dubas, head coach Sheldon Keefe, and team president Brendan Shanahan as they try to build a winning roster around their core group of young players — Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander.

“It’s Toronto, and it’s a big hockey market, and we have a lot of interesting guys on the team,” Matthews, 24, explains as he mulls over why Amazon chose the Leafs for an NHL edition of its Prime Video service. All or Nothinga business venture “So it makes sense from a marketing and promotional standpoint.”

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Head coach Sheldon Keefe adds, “The Maple Leafs brand is something we want to celebrate and expose to the world.”

Meanwhile, as veterans like Joe Thornton continue to pursue a Stanley Cup, captain John Tavares balances on-ice expectations with his personal life in All or Nothing. Along the way, Leafs netminder Campbell, a.k.a. Soupy, emerges as a breakout star, while Matthews, whom the team drafted in 2016, scores 66 points. On the other hand, filmmakers capture Foligno’s joy as he learns he’s been traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to Toronto — where his father Mike also played — at the trade deadline. We’re inside Dubas’ office after Keefe warns forward Jimmy Vesey that he needs to improve his game. Vesey is informed that he has been placed on waivers.

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“It’s a one-of-a-kind look at what goes on behind the scenes,” Matthews summarizes.

The team finished sixth overall in the league standings after winning the seven-team North Division during a pandemic-shortened season. All or NothingCameras appeared to be set up to capture a team on the verge of making a deep playoff run. Despite the fact that (spoiler alert!) the season and series did not end happily — they are still searching for their first playoff series victory since 2004 after losing in the first round to the Montreal Canadiens — The documentary, according to Matthews, gives fans a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of the players and hints at a different mindset as the club recovers from another disappointing post-season and prepares for the 2021-22 season.

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He explains, “It just gives people a little more insight.”

With the Leafs’ season opener approaching and the team still searching for its first Stanley Cup since 1967, Matthews petted his dog Felix as he talked about the team’s prospects. All or Nothing’s unfiltered look at the Blue and White.

There are a lot of behind-the-scenes moments that we don’t get to see very often. Did you have any reservations about the locker room cameras?

To be honest, it wasn’t all that different. They simply let us go about our business. They didn’t obstruct your progress. To be honest with you, I don’t think it was a distraction at all. They didn’t make you feel as if you couldn’t be yourself or anything like that. You just knew there were cameras rolling, and they had them set up in various rooms — the locker room, for example — and they were also following us around. It wasn’t too much of a bother. However, everyone was extremely polite. “I believe we had a good idea of what the show was going to be about before we committed to it.

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Besides, when we’re in Toronto, there are always cameras around. So it didn’t seem to make much of a difference to me, and it didn’t seem to be much of a distraction either.” “You don’t think about the cameras when you’re in the heat of the moment in a game or when you’re focused on something.

After watching it, what stands out to you the most?

Because there are only five episodes, there’s only so much you can fit in. So just being able to play hockey made us feel fortunate.” “I don’t want to say it skips over things, but it does move along quickly. However, I believe it provides a unique perspective. It was an unusual year with a lot of unknowns at the start.

How does the show’s conclusion add to the drama? It’s not the happy ending that the fans or the team had hoped for.

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“It was difficult to watch it. You can see how devastated all of the guys were, including myself. Obviously, we’ve suffered some heartbreak and devastating losses, but I believe that Leafs fans and those watching will see our emotions and how devastated we were, and that watching that will fuel a desire within you. It gives you an extra push to prove your critics wrong and get over the hump.” I know we have faith in ourselves and are confident that we will complete the task and break through. Champions and legends are built on how you respond to failure, not success, regardless of your failures.

What do you hope your viewers get out of the series?

But, as I previously stated, it moves quickly, and it may not be as in-depth as you would like.” It offers a unique perspective on the lives of players. Whether it’s before a game or in their spare time, you get to see what makes guys tick. “You get to know the guys a little better,” says the narrator.

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What do you have to say about the “Coffee Gang?” Is it something you’re a part of?

“I’m not a member of the ‘Coffee Gang.'” However, it takes some time for me. I’m always in there when they’re making their coffees and doing whatever else they do, so it’s kind of amusing to watch them argue about who makes the best cup of coffee and whatnot. So I’m not sure if I’ll ever be a part of that coffee crew. I tried some of the guys’ coffee, and I have to say, it’s pretty tasty. I like coffee, but I’m not a huge fan. It’s a whole ordeal because everyone has their own personalized cup. But I like all of the guys on the team, so I’ll always root for them.”

Who makes the best cup?

When I said that, Mitch (Marner) and everyone else flipped out. “Zach Hyman makes the best cup of coffee, in my opinion. In that coffee gang room, he took a lot of heat, but I’m all for Hymie. He makes the best cup of Joe, in my opinion.”

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In your spare time, we see you and a few of your teammates playing ping-pong. Who is the best ping-pong player in the world?

The Euros are always competitive, and William (Nylander) is a standout. Kerfoot and Hall, on the other hand, are on a different level.” “Alex Kerfoot, I believe he is. Justin Holl or him. Those two are the best players on the team that I’ve ever seen.

It was fascinating to watch how things unfolded for you throughout the season as a fan. What was it like to have your achievements immortalized in a TV show?

My parents were also featured on the show, which was fantastic. Regardless of the outcome, it’s something we can all reflect on. It was a once-in-a-lifetime year, but as I previously stated, we were simply fortunate to be able to play hockey. Now that it’s all been recorded, we’ll be able to look back on those memories for the rest of our lives.” I believe we’re all glad we did it. “It was enjoyable.

All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.

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