A new Leaf: Raycroft is ready to start over
By his own admission, the 2005-06 season was a frustrating and fruitless campaign for Andrew Raycroft. After winning the Calder Trophy in 2003-04 as the top rookie in the NHL, Raycroft went from the lockout to Murphy's Law, where everything that could've gone wrong seemed to.
But if last year was the worst of his professional life, the 26-year-old believes next season could be his best, as a hockey player and person.
He was in France and Italy on vacation when he got word the Bruins had dealt him to the Toronto Maple Leafs for netminding prospect Tuukka Rask. In addition to celebrating his new lease on life, during his journey, he and his girlfriend, Erin, got engaged.
``It's been a busy two weeks, that's for sure," said Raycroft. ``I was hoping something was going to happen, sooner than later, if I wasn't going to play [in Boston]. I wanted it to get done this summer just to know where I was going. It's exciting."
In Toronto, the Maple Leafs are similar to the Red Sox in Boston in terms of scrutiny and there will be plenty of pressure, especially on a player who was reared in Belleville, Ontario, less than two hours outside Toronto.
``Obviously, there is more attention given to hockey, it's a bigger deal, but we all deal with pressure no matter where we are," Raycroft said. ``You go out and try to get wins and play well. The pressure I put on myself isn't really going to change. My parents are a little cautious because there is going to be a lot written and a lot said. Everyone has an opinion there, especially about the Leafs. But they are excited. They know it's a great opportunity. I'm really pumped."
Bruins interim general manager Jeff Gorton said many things got to Raycroft, which helped derail his season. Raycroft didn't disagree, although the Joe Thornton trade wasn't one of them.
``The Joe Thornton trade, that didn't have anything to do with me," said Raycroft. ``There were a lot of guys who had feelings about that. Definitely, the injuries got to me. Not playing got to me. That absolutely got to me. The team is out of the playoffs for virtually a month and a half and you only play two games [of the last 21], that's frustrating and it definitely got to me. Timmy [Thomas] was playing well, don't get me wrong, and I understood there was a lot of other stuff going on that was out of my control, but to not play when the team was out of the playoffs, it was frustrating."
Raycroft spent Wednesday in Toronto, meeting with the Maple Leafs' staff, including new coach Paul Maurice.
``Paul is outstanding," said Raycroft. ``He's definitely going to give straight answers all the time. We seemed to get along well. It was first class, it was a lot of fun."
As for his time in Boston, he said he enjoyed his years here but feels it's the right time to go.
``I've been here a long time," he said. ``I definitely don't really have any regrets. I loved being here and playing here. Everyone gave me a lot of opportunities and I'm grateful for that, but at the same time, it was time to go. Obviously, the organization is going in a completely different direction. Everyone else seems to be going, so I might as well, too."
