Joseph Woll has joined forces with a new charitable organization this season. He will donate for every game the Leafs and Woll win at home.

Joseph Woll is ready to make a difference on and off the ice. Of course, it’s not like the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender hasn’t been through his share of adversity. From the ankle injury that derailed the season in which he broke out through to more recent ones like the back injury that ended his playoff run, with each setback, Woll has come out even stronger.

With an even more focused approach toward his game and purpose, this season, Woll comes in with a fresh sense of drive, and it’s not just about performing for himself or his team. It goes way deeper than hockey, as Woll has taken an awfully generous initiative on board and brings to the rink a passion for being an advocate for mental health.

For every home win the Leafs accomplish, Joseph Woll pledges to donate $5,000 to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The pledge says, quite eloquently, how committed he is to the cause, for which mental health awareness has always been close to his heart.

“Over the past few years I’ve found how important mental health is & how under-talked about it is sometimes,” Joseph says. “It’s a place that holds a special spot in my heart”

This personal mission gave him even more reason to shine in one of the most demanding positions in the sport, the starting goalie in hockey’s most scrutinized market. The fact remains, however, that Woll would love to help his team win and motivate others with a boost that could mean so much more than every save he can make.

His situation coming into his debut was filled with questions about his readiness both physically and mentally, but Joseph Woll has persevered through those intense mental and physical expectations. His calm and poise haven’t gone unnoticed by his teammates, as Toronto winger William Nylander admired the mental toughness of Woll. First-year head coach Craig Berube expressed a respect for the incredible level of professionalism from a goaltender in the face of repeated negative circumstances.

Through it all, Woll never lost sight of his dedication to the sport and the greater community, and for Woll, this season is a lot more about clearing personal hurdles, it’s channeling every ounce of energy toward a purpose well beyond the ice.

While fellow goaltender Anthony Stolarz has had a strong beginning to the season, Joseph Woll doesn’t really feel the added pressure to perform. He looks at each game as an opportunity, one in which he can not only hone his craft but also raise money for CAMH.

On the other hand, Woll keeps getting better and more in tune with his form. He had 24 saves in the recent 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken to show he is ready now to build off an injury-riddled past. Every win has a domino effect, building into the next and the motivation to be at his best ramps up for Woll knowing full well the stakes aren’t just about hockey, they’re about making an impact.

Ultimately, however, Joseph Woll’s season is measured neither by wins, losses, nor numbers; rather, it is about using a platform to do good and support those in need. He will be on an active quest for more home victories. Woll’s story serves as a witness to the impact an athlete can make outside of his sport, as his gift will be set in motion to inspire his own team and community.