The Toronto Maple Leafs have not been the only hockey team in Toronto having a busy off-season. The Toronto Marlies have been very busy as of late. In the last couple of days, they have signed three players to AHL deals.
With the number of players signed by both the Toronto Marlies and the Toronto Maple Leafs this off-season, the Marlies have plenty of players to choose from to complete their roster.
The logjam created by having an abundance of players is a good thing to have. The Leafs will likely send down a few players to the AHL once the NHL roster is complete. The extra players will help the Marlies to set their roster. Whichever players are left over will either be traded or sent to the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL.
Earlier this week, the Marlies signed three players to add to their stockpile. Here is a look at each of those players.
Toronto Maple Leafs Farm System Getting Crowded
So far this off-season, the Toronto Marlies have signed nine players. The team will also be getting a few players from the Toronto Maple Leafs after NHL training camp is over.
In June, the Marlies signed forwards Antti Suomela and Ryan Chyzowski to AHL deals. Suomela signed for one year, and Chyzowski signed for two years.
Fast forward to July, and the Marlies signed defenseman Ben Finkelstein to a one-year AHL deal. The team then re-signed team captain Rich Clune to a one-year AHL deal. They then followed that up by signing forwards Curtis Douglas and Jack Kopacka. Douglas signed a two-year AHL deal, while Kopacka signed a one-year AHL deal.
Now that brings us to August and the team’s most recent signings. Here is a breakdown of the three newest signings by the Marlies.
Matt Hellickson
Matt Hellickson is a 23-year-old left shooting defenseman. He measures in at 6’0, 183 lbs. and is a seventh round pick of the New Jersey Devils from the 2017 NHL draft. The Marlies signed him to a one-year AHL deal.
https://twitter.com/TorontoMarlies/status/1427649123008851974
Hellickson spent four years playing for the University of Norte Dame where he recorded 52 points in 146 games. He is a good skater and makes an effective first pass to exit the zone. (All stats from: Eliteprospects.com)
Marc Michaelis
Marc Michaelis is a 26-year-old forward who can play left wing and center. He measures in at 5’11 and 187 Lbs. The marlies signed him to a one-year AHL deal.
He spent part of last season playing 15 games for the Vancouver Canucks. Although he did not record any points in those 15 games, Michaelis has shown he can produce offensively while also playing his tenacious style.
During his last season at Minnesota State University Michaelis recorded 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 31 games.
Matteo Pietroniro
Matteo Pietroniro is a 22-year-old left shooting defenseman. He measures in at 6’1 and 185 Lbs. The Marlies signed him to a one-year AHL deal.
Pietroniro spent the 2020-21 season playing for HC Bolzano in the ICEHL (International Central European Hockey League). He recorded four points in 31 games.
During his last season (2018-19) with the Chicago Steel in the USHL, he recorded 18 goals and 31 assists for 49 points in 61 games.
My Final Thoughts
With all these recent signings added to the Toronto Maple Leafs farm system, there will be a logjam of players for the Marlies this season. As we know, injuries do happen and there will be times when the Marlies will lose a player or two to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Having an abundance of players at both the AHL and ECHL level is good for the organization. Players who get cut from the Marlies and sent tot he Growlers, well be looking for their shot to make it to the AHL when the Marlies come looking for help.