Alexander Kerfoot was on a boat when he found out he was traded to Toronto

Alexander Kerfoot’s July 1st plans were similar to that of many Canadians, spending the holiday in the sunshine while cruising on a boat.

But the blockbuster trade that afternoon that sent Kerfoot to Toronto certainly threw a bit of a wrench in the plans for the former Avalanche winger.

In a recent interview with 590’s Prime Time Sports, the new Leafs forward shared the story of how he found out he had been traded.

“I was actually in Kelowna out on the lake and got a call, looked at my phone and at first glance, I couldn’t even grasp what my GM was calling me about,” Keroot shared on with the sports radio station. “And then all of a sudden everything happened so fast, and you’re getting moved, and your life kind of flashes before your eyes a little bit.”

Toronto acquired Kerfoot and defenceman Tyson Barrie from Colorado in exchange for the longest tenured Maple Leaf at the time, Nazem Kadri, as well as defenceman Calle Rosen.

Maple Leafs fans were shocked by the trade, but perhaps no one was more surprised than Kerfoot himself.

“It was mixed feelings for sure, I was definitely caught off guard by it.”

Kerfoot began his NHL career with Colorado in 2015 as an unrestricted free agent, playing two full seasons and netting 34 goals and 85 points in 157 games. He was a pending RFA with the Avalanche and has since signed a four-year, $14-million contract with Toronto.

Even on July 1st, the first and often busiest day of NHL free agency, Kerfoot shared that hockey wasn’t in the forefront of his mind, which only adds to the shock factor.

“I think also, the fact that it happened in the middle of the summer, you’re not necessarily thinking about hockey every day.”

Kerfoot’s first move after hearing the news was to message his newest teammate and close friend, Morgan Rielly.

“Immediately when I got off the phone I texted him and told him I was traded. He couldn’t believe it at first, and I was like, ‘No, like, I’m coming to Toronto.’”

Kerfoot and Barrie, who are both from BC, should feel more at home in Toronto’s locker room with another fellow Vancouverite in Reilly.

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