The Toronto Maple Leafs organization continues to scout and recruit talent from the NCAA.
The Toronto Marlies, their AHL affiliate, have signed Arizona State forward Ryan Kirwan to a two-year contract, continuing their strategy of adding undrafted NCAA free agents to their roster.
The Marlies officially announced the signing on Saturday night. Kirwan will join the team on a professional tryout for the rest of the 2024-25 season. His two-year contract will commence in the 2025-26 season.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported earlier on Saturday that the Maple Leafs were close to finalizing this agreement.
Friedman mentioned on Saturday Headlines during Hockey Night in Canada, that it is free-agent season and Toronto has already signed a couple of players who debuted in the AHL. He added that Ryan Kerwin was another player on Toronto`s radar, and they were showing strong interest.
Ryan Kirwan, aged 23, has had a successful first season with Arizona State Sun Devils, scoring 26 goals and providing 13 assists in 37 games.
Prior to joining Arizona State, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound forward played three seasons at Penn State University, accumulating 34 goals and 35 assists in 100 games.
The Maple Leafs have recently added two other NCAA free agents to the Marlies: former Dartmouth forward Luke Haymes and Union College defenseman John Prokop. Both players made their Marlies debut on Saturday night against the Belleville Senators.
