Holl Pass
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Justin Holl has earned his keep
By: Jessi Pierce
A FROZEN LAKE Minnetonka, sharpened skates, a puck and stick along with family and friends playing endless games of pickup—how can you not be romantic about hockey?
That’s where Tonka Bay native and current Toronto Maple Leaf defenseman Justin Holl learned to love the game.
“Those are my earliest memories of playing, and my fondest as well,” said Holl, who began skating at the age of 3. “It’s hockey in its purest form, playing outside. It’s important to have that free time to work on your skills, do a little research and development by finding out what works and what doesn’t. You can’t beat it.”
Holl, 29, still makes a point to enjoy an outdoor game or two when he can, though these days he’s more concerned with the indoor ice of the NHL, seeing his hard work pay dividends as he’s earning himself a more permanent role on the Maple Leafs blue line the past two seasons.
We caught up with Holl to talk hard work in all facets of life.
WORK HARD IN: SCHOOL
There’s a reason the student comes first in student-athlete.
While establishing himself on the ice, named captain of the Skippers his senior year, Holl hit the books just as hard, earning a near perfect score of 34/36 on his ACTs.
“I think I’m just a good test taker,” Holl said. “I think my worst subject is writing. I always found it difficult to write a long essay and not say what I wanted to in a few sentences. My favorite subject would be math. I like how there’s one concrete answer in math. Algebra, geometry, calculus—they’re all great!”
Holl saw Division I schools come calling after impressive scores and being named a finalist for the 2010 Mr. Hockey. Despite interest from the prestigious Ivy Leagues, there was only one school he ever wanted to play for.
“When Minnesota offered, at that point it was kind of game over,” said Holl, who played all four seasons for the University of Minnesota. “I always wanted to play college hockey, that was my dream. I didn’t think about the NHL just because the Gophers were my dream; being really lucky to have been able to play there.”
Beyond his on-ice achievements (more on that below), Holl completed his degree in finance at the U.
“Every situation’s different, but in hindsight, I’m happy to have been able to finish up my degree right then,” said Holl. “I know (Minnesota Wild forward and Blaine native Nick) Bjugstad just finished up his degree, which is great for him, but he talked about taking all the summer classes—it’s not necessarily something you love doing. I’m just happy to get my degree, I think that’s just as important, if not more, than whatever you’re doing on the ice in college.”
WORK HARD IN: YOUR ON-ICE ROLE
An offensive thinking defenseman is definitely of value. Holl has some of that natural instinct, playing forward all the way up until his freshman year of high school.
“I was actually leading my Bantam team in scoring when they switched me to D, so I was kind of like what’s going on but I also knew I was one of the guys who could play D,” said Holl, who also buoyed between offense and defense at the University of Minnesota. “I had good skating abilities forwards and backwards. I embraced it. I was still able to produce from the back end, and that was kind of the role I played until I got to the NHL. Now I’ve been more defensive minded thus far but there’s always times when having that forward ability comes in handy.
“Just having those forward skills and having some better hands in tight. I feel funny saying that because I play with some guys in the league that are playing with more skill than I have—I could never be a forward in this league—but my skills for forward were good at the time.”
It’s Holl’s willingness to do what’s needed and play where needed—positionally or in the ECHL or AHL where he clinched the 2018 Calder Cup with the Toronto Marlies— that’s become his biggest asset in establishing a role in Toronto, a hockey-crazed city filled with some mighty talented players.
“Just the opportunity to play with some of the star players has helped tremendously,” said Holl, who has 35 assists and 41 points in 136 NHL games. “I ended up on the ice with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares quite a bit, so then it’s easier to play with good players and make plays. They make it easier on me for sure.”
WORK HARD IN: BEING A ROLE MODEL
Holl never lost being that kid on the pond or that kid in a Minnetonka jersey, idolizing the high schoolers up to the NHLers.
Now, he’s on the other side, and he couldn’t be more appreciative.
“When I was really young, my goal was to play on the high school team,” he said. “I thought those guys were the coolest guys of all time. And then as you continue to grow and improve, your expectations change a little bit, but I think just the whole Minnesota hockey system is geared in a way that you give the kids good role models all the way up.
“It’s awesome. I saw some Minnetonka kids the other day at Da Beauty League, and I just think it’s really cool because that used to be me. I was for sure one of those kids looking to see my favorite hockey player and get my stick signed or whatever. Circle of life, I guess.”