The Toronto Maple Leafs have confirmed a few invites to their development camp in September. No official date has been set yet but is likely to be in mid-September.
The development camp is a good chance for management and coaches to get an up-close look at all these players. Seeing them in person is much more beneficial than just watching them play on video.
All the players listed below will be eligible to sign entry-level contracts (ELC) as undrafted prospects as long as they do so before the start of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) season.
Here is a look at some of the prospects that received invites to the development camp in September.
Toronto Maple Leafs Development Camp Invites
James Hardie
On Thursday, July 29th, the Mississauga Steelheads announced that James Hardie has been invited to the Maple Leafs camp. Hardie is a 19 year-old undrafted forward who plays left wing.
Congrats to James Hardie on his invite to the @MapleLeafs training camp 🔥
— Mississauga Steelheads (@OHLSteelheads) July 29, 2021
Show them how it’s done! #DONTMISS pic.twitter.com/Hn3qvpeU9d
The 2021-22 season will be his fourth season with the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League. He has only played in two seasons, however, as last season was canceled due to the Corona virus pandemic.
During the 2019-20 season, Hardie recorded 34 goals and 29 assists for 63 points in 59 games. The part of his game which needs the most work is how he plays without the puck. Hopefully his time at this development camp will help him with that. (All stats from eliteprospects.com)
Ryan Del Monte
Ryan Del Monte is a forward for the Barrie Colts on the OHL. The Colts announced on Wednesday, July 28th, that Del Monte was given an invite to the Toronto Maple Leafs camp.
We would like to congratulate Ryan Del Monte on being invited to attend the Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) #NHL Training Camp. pic.twitter.com/r3y7yCn2AB
— Barrie Colts (@OHLBarrieColts) July 29, 2021
During his first season with the Colts as a 16-year-old, Del Monte just six points in 49 games. Due to the 2020-21 OHL season being canceled, the German native decided to go play in Germany.
He spent most of the season with the Hannover Indians of the Germany 3 League. He recorded 14 points in 32 games. This Toronto Maple Leafs development camp could benefit him as he will be looking to have a successful 2021-22 season with the Barrie Colts.
Landon Cato
Landon Cato is a right shooting defenseman with decent size (6’1, 205lbs). He will be entering his third season with the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL. Just like James Hardie, Cato did not play at all this season.
https://twitter.com/OHLIceDogs/status/1420753402410283008
He will be looking to use this time at the development camp to help jump-start his season after not playing last season. Cato is a good defensive defenseman with good skating ability.
The areas of his game that he needs to improve on are his shooting and discipline. He needs to be more comfortable shooting the puck when has it. He plays a good physical game but needs to work on discipline. Cato will sometimes take himself away from the play to make a hit, and that can be costly.
More Players Invited To The Toronto Maple Leafs Development Camp
Brett Budgell – 20 – 6’0, 187lbs – LW
Francesco Lapenna – 19 – 6’0, 187lbs – G
Theo Rochette – 19 – 5’10, 165lbs – C
Vincent Sevigny – 20 – 6’3, 183lbs – LHD
Jacob Guévin – 18 – 5’11, 181lbs – RHD
Maybe one or more of these players will impress the Toronto Maple Leafs enough to earn an ELC or at least pique their interest enough to try and draft them.
This is what happened to current Toronto Marlies defenseman Mac Hollowell. He attended the Maple Leafs development camp, impressed the team enough to receive an Amateur Tryout with the Toronto Marlies, and eventually sign with them.