The Toronto Maple Leafs AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, announced the re-signing of five players on Friday. All five players re-signed one-year deals.
While the Toronto Maple Leafs focus on putting together their lineup for the 2024-25 season, the Toronto Marlies must do the same. On Friday, the Marlies re-signed of defensemen Matthew Hellickson, Tommy Miller, and Matteo Pietroniro and forwards Zach Solow and Keenan Suthers.
While some Toronto Marlies players will be looking to earn an NHL roster spot with the Maple Leafs this season, these five re-signed players are looking for a permanent AHL roster spot. They either split time between the Marlies and the Newfoundland Growlers in the ECHL last season or played only with the Growlers. They’re all looking to take that next step in their development.
As someone who attends Toronto Marlies games fairly often, I am excited to see some of these players again and see others for the first time. Here is a look at each of the re-signed players.
Toronto Maple Leafs Re-Sign 5 Players for the Marlies
Matteo Pietroniro
Matteo Pietroniro is a 24-year-old, left-shooting defenseman from Boise, Idaho, USA. Last season he registered one goal and two assists for three points in 51 games with the Marlies, and three assists in five games with the Growlers. (Stats from eliteprospects.com)
Zach Solow
Zach Solow is a 24-year-old right-shooting forward from Naples, Florida, USA, who can play center or wing. He registered two goals and two assists for four points in 23 games with the Marlies. Solow recorded 14 goals and 28 assists for 42 points in 42 games with the Growlers. He’ll be looking to carry that success over to the Marlies this season.
Matthew Hellickson
Matthew Hellickson is a 25-year-old left-shooting defenseman from Rogers, Minnesota, USA. He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 7th-round of the 2017 NHL draft. Hellickson registered one goal and five assists for six points in 30 games with the Marlies last season. He also recorded one assist in five games with the Growlers.
Tommy Miller
Tommy Miller is a 24-year-old right-shooting defenseman from West Bloomfield, Michigan, USA. He registered seven assists in 40 games for the Marlies and six points in 14 games with the Growlers. He recorded five points in 16 playoff games for the Growlers.
Keenan Suthers
Keenan Suthers is a big (6’8, 245 Lbs) 25-year-old left winger from Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada. He registered 18 goals and 22 assists for 40 points in 56 games with the Growlers last season.
He also had seven goals and six assists for 13 points in 16 playoff games. Keenan is the definition of a power forward, and he’ll be looking to make an impact in the AHL.