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Toronto Maple Leafs October Prospect Update

By Patrick Morrison

TORONTO,ON - SEPTEMBER 21: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev #85 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL pre-season game at Scotiabank Arena on September 21, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO,ON - SEPTEMBER 21: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev #85 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL pre-season game at Scotiabank Arena on September 21, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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PRIOR LAKE, MN – DEC 29: Chaska Hawks defenseman Michael Koster carries the puck against the Edina Hornets during their prep hockey game at Dakotah! Ice Arena in Prior Lake, MN on Saturday, December, 29, 2018.(Photo by Josh Holmberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PRIOR LAKE, MN – DEC 29: Chaska Hawks defenseman Michael Koster carries the puck against the Edina Hornets during their prep hockey game at Dakotah! Ice Arena in Prior Lake, MN on Saturday, December, 29, 2018.(Photo by Josh Holmberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

USA – NCAA and USHL

Mike Koster

Drafted – 2019, Round 5, #146
Age-18, Left handed Defenceman, 5’9, 172lbs
Where exactly Mike Koster will be spending his 2019/20 season is still somewhat confusing. Koster appeared in pre-season games with Tri City Storm of the USHL, however his name doesn’t appear on the regular season roster.

There doesn’t seem to be any mention anywhere of exactly what’s happening here. Hopefully, the University of Minnesota commit, gets a full season under his belt before his college career begins in 2020/21.

Ryan O’Connell

Drafted – 2017, Round 7, #203
Age-20, Left handed Defenceman, 6’1, 185lbs
Ryan O’Connell is heading into his second season of college hockey at Harvard. Last season O’Connell was the tied least productive defenceman for Harvard putting up just 2 points in 31 games.

Positives can be taken from O’Connell’s first season though, both points came in his final 10 games and despite his poor production he remained a mainstay on their blueline. Harvard get their 2019/20 season underway against Dartmouth on the first of November.

Nicholas Abruzzese

Drafted – 2019, Round 4, #124
Age-20, Centre, 5’9, 161lbs
The leading point scorer from the USHL in 2018/19 will begin his college career with Harvard this coming season.

Having looked impressive at the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp, he will look to take his confidence from last season and camp into his first year of college. Abruzzese dominated in the USHL last season, leading the league with a whopping 80 points, 20 more than the second highest scorer.

Whilst his prospect calibre comes with an asterisk, due to him being passed over in two consecutive years before 2019. He looks to be legitimate late bloomer, how he fairs against tougher competition in college will give us a much better idea of exactly how high we can be on him. Nick joins fellow Leafs prospect, Ryan O’Connell, at Harvard, where they will begin their season on November 1st.

James “JD” Greenway

Drafted – 2016, Round 3, #72
Age-21, Left handed Defenceman, 6’5, 212lbs
Greenway got his career back on track last season, leading the Dubuque Fighting Saints in defenceman scoring with 33pts (9-24-33) in 58 games. Following his draft year, JD had off ice issues at the University of Wisconsin which seemed to scupper the progress of his on ice career.

Having made the mature decision to reset, this season at the University of Maine is a really important one for big man to prove his draft calibre was correct. The University of Maine have also lost 5 of their top 6 for this season, giving JD a real opportunity to lock himself in as the main player on their back end. Maine began their season on Friday with a 7-0 loss to Providence College.

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