The Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs, have announced their roster in advance of tomorrow night’s AHL home opener.
Ready for tomorrow 👊
📝: https://t.co/4KZyqkU1Dy pic.twitter.com/6Rdjj4VK9G
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) October 11, 2024
The roster
(players without NHL deals are in italics)
Forwards:
Nick Abruzzese
Matthew Barbolini
Joseph Blandisi
Kyle Clifford
Nikita Grebenkin
Roni Hirovonen
Braeden Kressler
Robert Mastrosimone
Alex Nylander
Cedric Pare
Jacob Quillan
Logan Shaw
Zach Solow
Alex Steeves
Sam Stevens
Ryan Tverberg
Defence:
Matt Anderson
Jacob Bengtsson
Mikko Kokkonen
Nicolas Mattinen
Tommy Miller
Topi Niemela
Matteo Pietroniro
Marshall Rifai
William Villeneuve
Cade Webber
Goaltenders:
Artur Akhtyamov
Matt Murray
Vyacheslav Peksa
The 29 player roster doesn’t include Dakota Mermis or Fraser Minten who still count as part of the Maple Leafs roster until they are healthy enough to be assigned to the Marlies. No timeline has been given for their return.
The Marlies forward group will be reliant on more of a veteran approach led by players like Logan Shaw, Joseph Blandisi, Alex Nylander, and Kyle Clifford. Even players like Alex Steeves, Nick Abruzzese, and Cedric Pare have formidable AHL experience that player like Ryan Tverberg, Roni Hirvonen, and eventually Fraser Minten will receive veteran support.
The defensive group is more prospect driven than the forwards, with Marshall Rifai being the veteran presence, but also possibly the top candidate for a callup from the Maple Leafs based on his late cut from training camp. Younger players and AHL rookies like Mikko Kokkonen, Topi Niemela, and Cade Webber will likely round out the top Marlies top four.
With Dennis Hildeby presently with the Maple Leafs the goaltending picture will change slightly. The Marlies will have four good options in net with Vyacheslav Peksa and potentially Artur Akhtyamov seeing time in Cincinnati to ensure they are getting opportunities in net.
As of now, Ty Voit is the only player on an NHL deal who has been assigned to the Cincinnati Cyclones after missing most of last season with an injury.
The Marlies season starts October 12th at home against the San Diego Gulls at 4pm ET. You can read Steven Ellis’ list of the ‘Top 5 Marlies players to watch in 2024-25’ here.
