The Toronto Maple Leafs are benefitting from Bobby McMann's hard work. A path to the NHL is clear for some, but not for all. McMann went undrafted and worked his way through the ranks to get to where he is today.
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Bobby McMann to an NHL contract on April 29th, 2022.
He is in the second year of that two-year contract and has a salary cap hit of $762,500. The Leafs are getting their money's worth from McMann. He continues to impress every time he steps out onto the ice. (Salary cap information from capfriendly.com).
McMann spent three seasons in the AJHL playing for the Bonnyville Pontiacs, which is not a team known for producing NHL players. During the 2015-16 season, McMann registered 36 goals and 32 assists for 68 points in 47 games for the Pontiacs. He then spent four seasons playing at Colgate University in the NCAA. McMann had the honor of being team captain during the 2019-20 season.
(All Stats from eliteprospects.com).
Hard Work Paying Off for Toronto Maple Leafs Bobby McMann
Once his fourth season in the NCAA was complete, he signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
The Marlies are the AHL affiliate of the Leafs. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, his first professional season saw him split time between the Marlies and the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL. He spent most of the 2021-22 season playing with the Marlies but spent some time with the Newfoundland Growlers in the ECHL. McMann registered 24 goals for the Marlies that season.
McMann got his first taste of the NHL during the 2022-23 season. He spent ten games with the Leafs and recorded one assist. While with the Marlies, he registered 21 goals and eight assists for 29 points in 30 games.
At the beginning of this season, McMann was placed on waivers after failing to make the Leafs lineup out of training camp. Many thought he would get claimed, but luck was on the Leafs side, as McMann cleared waivers and went to the Marlies.
Since rejoining the Leafs in November, McMann has proven he belongs in the NHL. The most recent evidence is during the Leafs current six-game winning streak. In the last six games, McMann has seven goals and three assists for ten points.
He has become a key piece of the Leafs lineup, and it's all thanks to his years of hard work. He has nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 32 games and is on pace for a 31-point season.