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3 Toronto Maple Leafs to Watch For at Prospect Tournament

By Stephen Nixon

VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 21: Ian Scott #31 of Team Canada makes a save as Andrej Kukuca #28 of Team Slovakia attempts to deflect the puck at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 21, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 21: Ian Scott #31 of Team Canada makes a save as Andrej Kukuca #28 of Team Slovakia attempts to deflect the puck at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 21, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 24: Noel Hoefenmayer poses for photos with general manager John Chayka  . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Noel Hoefenmayer

After the Arizona Coyotes drafted Hoefenmayer with the 108th selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the team decided not to sign him, which resulted in him becoming a free agent.

Instead of letting that bring him down, he worked even harder and ended up winning the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL’s top defenseman during his over-aged season. In 58 games played, Hoefenmayer scored 26 goals and registered 82 points, which led all major junior defenseman in scoring.

After a huge season, it didn’t take long for Hoefenmayer to return closer to his NHL dreams, as the Toronto Marlies signed him to a two-year deal to play in his hometown.

In 18 games with the Marlies last year, the 22-year-old scored two goals and registered six points, which isn’t a terrible stat-line, but he’ll obviously look to improve that this season.

In article with TSN’s Mark Masters, Hoefenmayer said that he chose Toronto for the following reason:

"“I think the big thing is Barb [Underhill]. She’s a great skating coach and she’s worked with a lot of players in the NHL especially with the Leafs and turned them into great skaters and that’s the No. 1 area I need to work on. She’s very good so I’m excited to work with her.”"

Next. Rielly Injured at Leafs Scrimmage?. dark

It’ll be interesting to see how much his skating has improved since last season, but Hoefenmayer should still crack the Marlies top-six defensive group once the AHL season starts.

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