Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Justin Holl: From the ECHL to the Toronto Maple Leafs Blueline

By Jordan Maresky

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Michael Dal Colle #28 of the New York Islanders looks to block a second period shot by Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on November 13, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Michael Dal Colle #28 of the New York Islanders looks to block a second period shot by Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on November 13, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Toronto Maple Leafs
CALGARY, AB – JANUARY 26: Frederik Andersen #31 and Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs   (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

As an unsigned NHL draftee, Justin Holl has experienced quite an unusual career path.

The 6”4, 210 lbs native of Tonka Bay, Minnesota entered the 2010 NHL draft out of the University of Minnesota, where he was selected in the second round, 54th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks. Instead of signing his entry-level contract with the Original Six franchise, Holl opted to honour his commitment to the Gophers and finish out his collegiate career back home.

Over the course of his four-year NCAA career, Holl amassed 38 points in 142 games, capping off his senior year with a Frozen Four appearance. When it came time to progress onto the next stage in his hockey career, Holl joined the Blackhawks franchise for the 2014-15 season, splitting time between the club’s ECHL and AHL affiliates.

After finishing the season with 34 points in 66 games with the Indy Fuel, Holl, still without an entry-level contract from the only NHL team had ever known, was offered an AHL deal from then Marlies GM Kyle Dubas to join the Toronto Maple Leafs farm system for the 2015-16 season.

Now, almost six years later, and having had played at all three levels the NHL has to offer, Holl has blossomed into a homegrown, minute-eating, smooth-skating, defensive machine to make up one half of the Leafs shutdown pairing.

I am sure if you ask the 28-year-old about that day when the Blackhawks never offered him a contract, he will tell you it was one of the hardest moments he has experienced. However, in 2021, Holl can look back on that faithful day and realize the turning point in his career came from one phone call from Mr. Dubas.

Home/Editorials