Former NHL forward Mark Kirton, who spent six seasons in the league, passed away on Sunday, per a league announcement. He was 67. Kirton played 266 games in the NHL from 1979 to 1985. This included stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs (who drafted Kirton in the third round of the 1978 NHL Draft), the Detroit Red Wings, and the Vancouver Canucks. His most productive season came … [Read more...] about Mark Kirton Passes Away
Mikael Kotkaniemi Hired As European Scout
The Maple Leafs have hired Mikael Kotkaniemi as a European Scout, Kotkaniemi announced on LinkedIn. He has been a coach in Finland for the better part of the last two decades including at the Liiga level and most recently coached Finland’s Under-18 program. This will be Kotkaniemi’s first scouting role and the first time working for an NHL franchise. … [Read more...] about Mikael Kotkaniemi Hired As European Scout
Jarnkrok Now Fully Healthy After In-Season Surgeries
Maple Leafs winger Calle Jarnkrok missed most of last season after undergoing groin and sports hernia surgeries in mid-November. While he returned down the stretch, he struggled to the point of being scratched at times. The veteran told Gefle Dagblad’s Marcus Hagerborn that he knew when he had the procedures that he wouldn’t be fully healthy for a while upon returning. … [Read more...] about Jarnkrok Now Fully Healthy After In-Season Surgeries
Kyle Clifford Announces Retirement
Longtime NHL winger Kyle Clifford told John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor last night that he’s retiring from his playing career. Clifford, now 34, was a relatively notable prospect when the 6’2″ enforcer burst onto the scene. He was a second-round pick in 2009 – an early one at that – out of the OHL’s Barrie Colts, and showed legitimate offensive promise in his post-draft year when he … [Read more...] about Kyle Clifford Announces Retirement
Maple Leafs Sign William Villeneuve To Two-Way Deal
The Leafs announced they’ve signed right-shot defender William Villeneuve to a two-way deal for 2025-26. Financial terms were not disclosed, but in doing so, they took care of their last remaining RFA skater who hasn’t committed elsewhere for the upcoming season. Only goaltender Dennis Hildeby now remains as an unsigned RFA in the Toronto pipeline. Villeneuve returns to Toronto … [Read more...] about Maple Leafs Sign William Villeneuve To Two-Way Deal