In second outdoor game, the Leafs are on a different path at the Centennial Classic

Three short years ago, when the Toronto Maple Leafs travelled to Ann Arbour, Michigan, to play the Detroit Red Wings in the 2014 NHL Winter Classic, they were a team in flux.

Three years ago, Mitch Marner was in his rookie season in the OHL, watching HBO 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic with his buddies. Now, he’s sitting next to his idol Doug Gilmour in the Leafs’ dressing room at Exhibition Stadium.

“It has been spectacular,” Marner said after the Leafs’ first full practice at the outdoor rink — when he was through circling the room to get autographs of the alumni for one of his sticks.