toronto maple leafs kiss fish

Toronto Maple Leafs players kissed a fish during recent trip to Newfoundland

Four Toronto Maple Leafs are now officially Newfoundlanders thanks to undergoing a ritual known as "screeching in," which involves kissing a frozen cod.

Auston Matthews, Frederik Andersen, Tyson Barrie and Morgan Rielly all took part in the ceremony at a bar called Christians on George Street, known for performing it during a visit to Paradise, Newfoundland this past weekend.

The tradition begins by asking those present if they'd like to become Newfoundlanders, who then answer "Yes b'y!" take a shot of Screech (a traditional Newfoundland rum) and kiss a cod fish. Sometimes those getting screeched in stand in buckets of salt water or eat "Newfie steak" (bologna). 

"It was fantastic," Barrie told NHL.com. "It's quite the scene. I (normally) like rum and [the shot] didn't taste good to me, but (the experience) was something else." 

As for kissing the fish? 

"It was disgusting."

Lead photo by

Toronto Maple Leafs


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Sports & Play

The top 25 beaches in and near Toronto

10 boat rental options in Toronto

50 beaches in and near Toronto you need to visit this summer

Canada's Wonderland's newest attraction is planned to open this month

Toronto Blue Jays players dish on their fave places and things about the city

A new bowling alley is opening in downtown Toronto

Toronto Maple Leafs expected to lose high-scoring prospect for nothing

Toronto's biggest waterpark opens for the season next weekend and they're still hiring