Toronto Maple Leafs: Amateur Tryout Arrivals Roundup

As the Toronto Maple Leafs coast into the playoffs, movement in the ranks below them has only increased.

Folks, we’re squarely in ATO and PTO season.

It’s that special time of year when NCAA and European league seasons wrap up, ushering in a new wave of prospects now eligible to play in the AHL.

So far, the Toronto Marlies have as busy as ever.

The way they’ve been snatching up prospects on these deals best resembles one of those game show segments where a contestant is stuck in an air tunnel, gets shot money at them, and told they can keep what they catch.

That’s television right there.

Now, these new acquisitions vary in their place of origin. A number are former Leafs draft picks, now getting their first taste of North American ice. Others are potential diamonds in the rough, finishing up successful seasons in Div II and III NCAA programs.

Let’s take a look at who these newbies are.

Jesper Lindgren

Former Leafs fourth-round pick Jesper Lindgren is yet another product from Toronto’s extremely successful 2015 draft class, one which has since produced talents the likes of Mitch Marner, Travis Dermott, and Jeremy Bracco.

Being a smooth skating, right-shooting defenceman, it’s curious to see just how far under the radar he’s since flown.

Lindgren is an undersized defenceman (EliteProspects lists him at 6’0 and 161 pounds), and yet has still held his own matching up against grown men in Finlands’s top league, Liiga.

His eight points in 43 games may not jump off the page initially, although such production from a 20-year-old rookie defenceman is undoubtedly promising.

Not to mention, on most nights he paced his entire team in ice-time. How many rookie defencemen do that?

Playing an offensively aggressive style, Lindgren’s most successful attributes are his speed and shot. Look at the ease in which his wrister from the point not only finds its way through roughly eight bodies, but beats the goaltender cleanly.

The level of patience Lindgren exudes is befitting of a player far beyond his years. Again, keep in mind that this is a 20-year-old rookie defenceman playing against professional adults.

As the Marlies prepare to undergo a dreaded stretch of three games in three nights this weekend, it beginning to look as if we’ll get our first glimpse of Lindgren in blue and white.

Pierre Engvall

EIL writer Alex Hobson wrote about Pierre Engvall roughly a month ago, calling him “the best Leafs prospect no one talks about”. I’d have to agree with that statement.

Signed to a PTO yesterday, Engvall’s arrival comes at an interesting time for the Marlies.

Selected in the 7th round of the 2014 draft, Engvall is yet another talented Swedish late bloomer occupying the organizational ranks. Funnily enough, the Leafs drafted a player fitting that exact description, in the exact same round the year prior.

He goes by the name of Andreas Johnsson.

Standing at 6’4, Engvall certainly possesses the physical tools necessary to succeed. And yet, how many 6’4 players have you seen move like this?

Yeah, not too many.

As a rookie in Sweden’s top league, Engvall registered 20 points in 31 games for his team HV71. Impressively, the bulk of those numbers came following a three-month layoff due to a fractured clavicle suffered in October.

Normally, plays like this don’t happen mere months after suffering a serious injury.

Last season, Engvall suited up for a single game with the Marlies during the playoffs, going pointless. Considering the depletion of depth this team has suffered in 2017-18, it’s entirely likely he receives a legitimate opportunity to contribute down the stretch.

The last player of Engvall’s mould got one, and I’d say it worked out pretty well.

Josh Kestner

Recently signed forward Josh Kestner has travelled a thoroughly unique path to the pro ranks.

A native of Huntsville, Alabama, Kestner played four years at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, tying the program’s single-season record for goals this year with 24. In typical Kyle Dubas fashion, he saw something in the 24-year-old and plucked Kestner from a program not exactly known as a “prospect factory”.

Making his Marlies debut on March 16th, Kestner rewarded Dubas, scoring his first professional goal.

Sheldon Keefe seems to like Kestner’s game, promoting him to top-line duty alongside Trevor Moore and Miro Aaltonen Tuesday night versus Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

While Keefe told me post-game that he thought Kestner looked overwhelmed at times, putting him in such a crucial position, in just his second professional game no less, speaks volumes.

Derian Plouffe

Derian Plouffe‘s journey to the professional ranks is nothing short of inspirational. According to this fantastic piece from the Ottawa Citizen, roughly a year ago Plouffe was fighting for his life.

During a practice in November of 2016, a puck struck Plouffe in the side of the head, fracturing his skull. Upon further examination, doctors found a “subdural hematoma”, a condition which could prove life-threatening.

For the next three days, he was confined to the Intensive Care Unit, a future in the sport he dedicated his life to seeming murky at best. And yet, following a lengthy recovery period, Plouffe returned to Niagara University, intent on continuing his hockey career.

Roughly 18 months since his life hung in the balance, Plouffe has put up 35 points in 35 games, finished among the top-20 in Hobey Baker Award voting (College Hockey’s version of the Heisman), and earned an ATO with the Marlies.

On March 16th, he recorded his first professional point.

Not too shabby.

Evan Buitenhuis

When the Leafs recalled Garret Sparks on March 15th, the Marlies lept into action, inking goaltender Evan Buitenhuis to an ATO.

Buitenhuis’s numbers from NCAA Div III are comical. In his four years with Hamilton College, the lowest save percentage he’s recorded was .941. His highest came this year when he finished with a .954.

Now that Sparks is back from his brief NHL stint and Calvin Pickard remains entrenched as the 1A, Buitenhuis likely won’t see game action anytime soon.

Regardless, those numbers are eye-popping.

If either Pickard or Sparks graduates to the next level following 2017-18, the Burlington, Ontario native may factor into the Marlies crease battle next year.

Scott Pooley

Fun fact: Scott Pooley captained the U18 Chicago Mission Bantam team alongside current-Leaf William Nylander.

As is the case in all hockey circles, you’re never more than six degrees removed.

Playing four years at College of the Holy Cross, Pooley had his most productive season in 2017-18, finishing with 34 points in 36 games. Measuring in at 6’2″ and 201 pounds, he’s a big body who operates as an effective net-front presence, albeit with limited offensive upside.

Given his size, Pooley’s skating ability may be the factor holding him back.

The Marlies are one of the AHL’s fastest teams. How Pooley keeps up with their frantic playing style may speak volumes to his potential.

Brady Ferguson

The most recent ATO signee, Robert Morris University’s Brady Ferguson enters the Leafs organization on an offensive tear, currently sitting 6th in NCAA scoring.

While goal scoring is his forte, Ferguson has proved to be an excellent playmaker, a skill the Marlies could tangibly use on the wing down the stretch.

Basing this on the line rushes this morning, it looks as if Keefe is prepared to give Ferguson a legitimate opportunity to contribute immediately. His offensive prowess could serve as a welcome addition to a thoroughly broken Marlies power play that sits 15th in the AHL at 17%.

If Ferguson can provide the Marlies with PP production, his addition will go a long way into shoring up what has been the team’s Achilles heel this season.

Next: Enemy's Insight - French Baked

There are likely far more ATO signings to come in the next few days, so keep your eyes peeled.