Max Domi gave Jim Hiller and the Maple Leafs some welcome positive news Sunday, announcing a major personal milestone after a frightening summer.
Domi revealed his engagement to longtime girlfriend Estelle, sharing a photo of her wearing the ring and delivering a simple message: “I love you so much.”
The proposal came on Estelle's birthday, adding another layer to what became a memorable day for the couple. She also shared the news through her own Instagram account.
It was a dramatically different update from the ones surrounding Domi earlier in the offseason. His health became a major concern after surgery intended to address an issue he played through last season.
The procedure led to complications, and Domi was reportedly unable to walk in the days that followed. Exact details of what went wrong have not been made public.
Toronto initially listed Domi as out indefinitely and said he would continue working with the club's medical staff before being reevaluated around training camp.
Max Domi gets welcome news after frightening recovery
The encouraging development is that Domi has since regained the ability to walk without issue, even though questions remain about his hockey timeline and readiness for the coming season.
That uncertainty makes Sunday's announcement stand out. Domi has spent much of the summer dealing with a recovery nobody expected when his offseason procedure was first scheduled.
He had played through the underlying issue before undergoing surgery, appearing in 80 games and producing 12 goals and 24 assists for Toronto last season.
Now the focus stretches well beyond the rink. The 31-year-old is entering a new chapter away from hockey while still working through one of the more difficult stretches of his NHL career.
The reaction around the hockey world was immediate, with NHL players and other sports figures congratulating Domi and Estelle after the engagement became public.
For Hiller and the Maple Leafs, Domi's playing status will eventually become a lineup question once camp begins. For Domi, Sunday offered something much bigger than another injury update.
After months dominated by surgery, complications and uncertainty, his latest announcement finally gave the summer a much different ending.
Will Max Domi be ready to play early this season?
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