Marlies News | Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey News and Views

One-on-one with Keith Aulie

Defenceman Keith Aulie was returned to the Toronto Marlies after playing a dozen games with the Leafs. He was returned to the AHL on December 17.

Q. How would you describe your 12 NHL games playing with the Leafs?
A. It was great. Playing in the NHL is obviously a great experience, no matter what. I’m going up there and learning different things, and I’m trying to improve myself now and keep getting better.

Q. Were you given a reason for being returned to the Marlies?
A. They said it’s a bit of the number game (upon Mike Komisarek’s return), and they said sometime I can come back and keep working on my game. I’m going to make that my goal to come back here and work as hard as I can every day, and try to help these guys out.

Q. What’s the biggest difference between the AHL and NHL?
A. I don’t know if there’s one biggest one. Obviously the speed’s a lot faster. Things happen a lot quicker out there, and you have to be thinking about the game a little bit more; a little bit faster anyway. A lot of things are different, but I think the speed is the biggest thing.

Q. Brian Burke stated that he would not have made the trade with Calgary, involving Phaneuf, if you weren’t included in the deal. How do you use that as motivation in your development?
A. It’s obviously good to hear from a guy like Brian, but at the same time I try to keep that stuff out of my head. All that stuff is their job. My job is to go on the ice and play as hard as I can every day – coming into work and trying to get better.

Leafs prospects shine at rookie tournament

Six different Maple Leafs scored goals in the team’s 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2010 Rookie Tournament on Saturday night. The tournament, which includes Ottawa and Pittsburgh, is being hosted at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario.

Toronto’s first three choices at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft – Bradley Ross, Greg McKegg and Sondre Olden – had the team’s first three goals, while Jerry D’Amigo, Kenny Ryan and Simon Gysbers also found the net for the Leafs.

Jussi Rynnas was solid in goal for Toronto, making 31 saves.

Three of the Leafs’ goals were scored on the power-play. Former Leafs prospects Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis, who were both traded to Chicago for Kris Versteeg, suited up for the Blackhawks.

The game was a homecoming for 2009 first-round draft pick Nazem Kadri, who starred for the Knights of the OHL while playing his junior career in his hometown.

The Leafs’ next game is Sunday night against Pittsburgh (7PM ET).

Ryan Hamilton leads Marlies to victory

Marlies scorers: Hamilton 2 (13)
Heat scorers: Baldwin (4)
Links: Game Summary | Stats | Discussion boards

Forward lines: Calder-Brent-Scott, Hamilton-Foster-Deveaux, Ondrus-Hodgman-Rogers, Simon-Rosehill-Engel(D)
Defence pairings: Stokes-Oreskovic, Mikkelson-Gysbers, Blacker-Evans
Goaltenders: Reimer (Win, 63:35 minutes played, 33 saves, 1 GA), MacDonald (0:00)
Noteworthy:
-Ryan Hamilton tied the game with 47.3 seconds remaining in regulation, then scored the overtime winner on a shorthanded breakaway.
-The game was played before 6,756 fans at Ricoh Coliseum and was broadcast nationwide on CBC.
-Members of Canada’s military personnel were invited to join the Marlies for a group photo at game’s end.

Leafs Recall Gunnarsson and Assign Rosehill to Marlies

November 12, 2009

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Thursday that defenceman Carl Gunnarsson has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. The Maple Leafs also announced that forward Jay Rosehill has been assigned to the Marlies on a conditioning loan, and defenceman Mike Komisarek has been placed on Injured Reserve and will miss approximately three weeks due to a quadriceps injury.

Gunnarsson, 23, registered two assists with two penalty minutes in 12 games with the Marlies this season. The 6-2, 196-pound defenceman is playing in his first professional season in North America after collecting 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) and 60 penalty minutes in 150 games over four seasons (2005-06 to 2008-09) with Linkoping HC of the Swedish Elite League. Gunnarsson was Toronto’s seventh choice, 189th overall, in the 2007 Entry Draft.

Rosehill, 24, appeared in six games with the Maple Leafs this season, registering a goal and 16 penalty minutes. The 6-3, 215-pound winger made his NHL debut on October 1 versus Montreal and scored his first NHL goal October 10 against Pittsburgh.

The Marlies continue their six game road trip when they travel to Winnipeg to take on the Manitoba Moose, AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. (ET). For 2009-10 Marlies ticket information, including season ticket packages and group seats, visit www.torontomarlies.com or call the team’s ticket line at 416-597-PUCK.

Tyler Bozak returned to Marlies

The Maple Leafs announced Thursday that forward Tyler Bozak was returned to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

Bozak collected an assist in his NHL debut on Tuesday as the Maple Leafs lost 4-1 to Colorado. Prior to being recalled, Bozak had one assist in three games for the Marlies.

Marlies Game Summary: Hamilton 2 at Toronto 3 (SO)

October 4, 2009 in Marlies News 0

Marlies scorers: K. Rogers (1), Ondrus (1), shootout winner – Deveaux
Links: Game Summary | Stats | Discussion boards

Forward lines: Berry-Boyce-Ondrus, Hamilton-Foster-Deveaux, Tlusty-Bozak-Hanson, K.Rogers-Greenop-Scott

Defence pairings: Gunnarsson-Frogren, Evans-Mikus, Mikkelson-Engel

Goaltenders: MacDonald (Win, 65:00 minutes played, 32 saves, 2 GA), Reimer (0:00)