When you meet Matthew Hlacar, you’re struck by how grounded he is. A 6-foot-4 winger who just got drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, he still describes himself as a “simple guy from Binbrook, Ont.” But Hlacar’s story is anything but simple — it’s a winding journey of heart, grit, rejection and quiet belief that led him from overlooked youth hockey player to a spot in one of the most storied franchises in the NHL.
This is a story of resilience. Of never quitting. Of finding your lane when the highway closes. Hlacar didn’t take the conventional route — he paved his own.
Born to Watch, Built to Play
“I never really watched cartoons growing up,” Hlacar said with a laugh. “It was always hockey. That was the only thing I wanted to do.”
Though no one in his family had played hockey at a high level, the sport was always on in the Hlacar household. “Everyone watched hockey,” he said. “My dad played soccer and football. My grandpa loved the Leafs. Hockey was always on.”
With his grandparents being Croatian immigrants who came to Canada with nothing but a dream and work ethic, Hlacar credits his relentless mindset to his roots. “Immigrant mentality. They just started working to create a better life, and I’ll never forget that.”
Even though skating was foreign to the family at first, they were all in once they saw what Matthew could do. “I was four years old, deking out the whole team and scoring goals,” he laughs. “My dad was like, ‘Oh, maybe he’s actually good.’”
By then, there was no turning back. Tennis balls flew in the basement, where his dad was often the target. A wooden net with a wooden goalie stood proudly in their garage, until Hlacar’s stick got too big and started hitting the ceiling. “That’s when I knew I had to just get the work in at the rink.”
From the Diamond to the Rink
Hlacar wasn’t always just a hockey kid. Baseball played a huge part in his athletic upbringing — and he was good. Really good.
“I was actually better at baseball than I was at hockey for a while,” he said. “I was a good hitter.” He played high-level ball every summer and speaks about the sport with deep respect. “People think baseball’s all about sitting around eating sunflower seeds, but people who know the game, it’s intense.”
More importantly, it helped shape him on the ice. “The weight transfer in hitting helped with my shot and even body checking. There’s a lot more crossover than people realize.”
Cut, Cut, Cut Again
The road to the CHL spotlight was anything but smooth.
After two strong seasons with the Toronto Marlboros in U13 and U14, Hlacar was cut at U15 — deemed too small. He led the league in scoring but was still overlooked. “I didn’t get drafted to the OHL. I was pissed off,” he said. “I also didn’t get drafted in the U18 draft, even after leading the league in goals and points. That’s when I realized goals and assists weren’t gonna cut it for me. I needed to bring something else.”
What followed was a series of setbacks that might’ve broken a lesser player. He was cut by the Ottawa 67s, cut again by the Kitchener Rangers and once more by the London Knights. “Three teams cut me. I really thought, ‘Is this even worth it anymore?’”
That’s when the GOJHL’s St. Catharines Falcons stepped in. Head coach and GM Tyler Bielby saw something others missed. “He believed in me after seeing me at Rangers camp,” Hlacar said. “That team saved me. Great vets and great development. It got me ready for the next jump.”
Kitchener Believed — and Hlacar Delivered
Eventually, the Kitchener Rangers came calling again — this time, with a contract.
“It felt so good, especially after failing so many times,” Hlacar said. “When you’ve had so many bad days with hockey, it just hits different when things finally go your way.”
He speaks glowingly of the organization and the city: “Top-tier team, great coaching and good teammates. I have no ego. I just work. They took a chance on me as a free agent, so I’ll do whatever it takes to help us win.”
A Dream in Blue and White
Despite never being on any pre-draft lists, the Leafs came knocking.
“I just believed in myself,” Hlacar said. “I always thought I was good enough to get drafted — even if no one else did.”
What stood out to Toronto’s scouts? His work ethic and a “different” kind of skill set. Hlacar may not fit the mold of a prototypical top-line forward, but he’s versatile, coachable and plays with an edge.
That edge came out at Leafs development camp, where he even got into a fight. “Just playing hockey. That’s what happens,” he said, shrugging it off.
The real takeaway from camp wasn’t the scrap but the access to elite minds. “Jake Muzzin, Mark Giordano and Kyle Clifford, they all have their own tricks and perspectives. You take a little from everyone. And the resources the Leafs have? It couldn’t be better.”
Binbrook Roots, Big-League Dreams
Outside the rink, Hlacar is still the small-town kid from Binbrook.
“I hang out with my friends, go fishing and play some golf. Chill stuff,” he said. “Fishing with my dad especially. I love shark fishing in Florida. You never know what you’re going to get. It just clears your mind.”
Message to the Next Generation
If there’s one message Hlacar wants to leave with the next wave of players, it’s simple: “Keep going. Don’t quit. If you really want it, do whatever it takes. Everyone wants to be the skill guy, but sometimes you have to be the grinder, the faceoff guy or the penalty killer. Find your role.
“People thought I was crazy to say I’d make the OHL undrafted. Two years ago, I was in U18. Now, I’m drafted by the Leafs. If you stick with it, something has to give. I’m living proof.”
by Sullivan Sparkes
Sullivan Sparkes is a sports writer with a professional background in both playing and analyzing hockey. A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, he played in the OHL, QMJHL, and professionally in the ECHL. With a deep understanding of the sport from both on and off the ice, he brings a unique perspective to his writing.