3x Stanley Cup champion recalls Craig Berube’s blunt warning from their time together - "Sit in the stands and watch"

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn
NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn

Three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Maroon reflected on his experience playing under Craig Berube. He shared a powerful story during his Monday appearance on TSN Overdrive. Maroon, who won the Cup in 2019 with Berube’s St. Louis Blues and again in 2020 and 2021 with Tampa Bay, credited Berube’s blunt honesty. He said Berube's culture-focused approach was a major reason for the Blues’ historic turnaround.

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Maroon said Berube wasted no time setting expectations when he took over in 2018.

"I think when Berube came in, he was, he basically took the standings off the walls," Maroon said. "Like, listen, if you guys don't want to play the right way and play hard, then you guys are just going to keep fighting this for a long time.
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"And I think he sent the message clear, loud and clear for us. Like, listen, we're not the fanciest team... but we have the type of team that can wear teams down..."

Craig Berube prioritized identity over star power, reminding the group that they weren’t the most skilled roster but could wear teams down through structure, heaviness, and commitment.

The message was simple and unforgiving.

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"I think with Berube, he just got the message clear to us, and if you don't want to play the right way, you'll just sit up, sit in the stands, and watch," Maroon said. "So to me, that was a good message, because we had the makeup of the team."
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That accountability, combined with a tight-knit locker room culture, helped propel the Blues from last place in January to champions by June. Berube’s clarity brought the team together and unlocked its competitive edge.

After leading the Blues to their first-ever Stanley Cup in 2019, Craig Berube is now head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, hired in May 2024. Last season, the Leafs looked strong under Berube, but have struggled so far in 2025-26.

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Maple Leafs win 7-2, and Craig Berube praises team's play

The Toronto Maple Leafs earned a 7-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Auston Matthews scored for the first time in three games and added an assist. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Bobby McMann, and Nicolas Roy each had a goal and an assist.

Coach Craig Berube praised his team's play, saying (via NHL.com),

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"A lot more entries and making some things happen. We got rewarded for it."

The group was ready despite a tough stretch, in which they lost eight out of their previous 10 games. Toronto’s depth worked, and the Leafs hope this game can build confidence moving forward.

Wayne Gretzky’s wife Janet responds to critics questioning his loyalty to Canada, Bobby Orr's support following 4 Nations drama

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Edited by Ankit Kumar
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