On the flight, a few Leafs veterans told McMann it was better to say his goodbyes and give his hugs in advance of the deadline.
“I don’t want to say bye to you guys, because I’m hoping I’m still going to be here,” McMann recalled saying to close friends Matthew Knies and Joseph Woll on the flight. “That was hard.”
McMann had not said goodbye to Benoit. Like most teammates, Benoit was bleary-eyed when he jumped into his car after the flight. He was ready to drive home before he also realized he had not said goodbye properly to his close friend.
Benoit hopped out of his car and ran through a group of teammates and their cars to give McMann one last hug.
“There’s never a bad time for a hug,” McMann said. “Those relationships will last a lifetime. Sometimes people underestimate the importance of good character and good people and the effectiveness that has a long career.”
