Marlies rookies finding success with a few key players missing from lineup

Mac Hollowell, Victor Mete, and Adam Gaudette are all missing from the Marlies lineup, but the team is still finding a way to get wins.
20 games into this season and Toronto has a 12-7-1 record, sitting atop the AHL’s North Division. A few key players in Logan Shaw, Joey Anderson, and Alex Steeves have been heading the ship, though there’s also a few rookies beginning to find their stride in the league.
Noel Hoefenmayer’s stock rising
Although he’s not a rookie, Hoefenmayer is finally getting a consistent spot in the Marlies’ lineup.
And he’s making the most of it, too.
The 23-year-old played 18 AHL games last season bungying between Toronto and the Newfoundland Growlers. He only recorded three points throughout those games, playing with the team from December to January.
Hoefenmayer began this season with the Marlies, though, and has been on a tear accumulating 17 points over an 18-game span. That’s enough for sixth place among AHL defencemen in points and fourth when it comes to point percentage.
“[He’s] just so consistent,” William Villeneuve said of Hoefenmayer on Saturday. “He brings it every night. I think his defensive play and his physical game is very underrated. I think he’s really hard to play against.”
The 23-year-old defender has found himself on every pairing and has been leaned on quit …

Read More

Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

Who doesn’t love NHL debuts?
We’re getting one with Mac Hollowell, who’s expected to man Toronto’s third line against New Jersey later tonight. With Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin out long-term, and no clear timeline for T.J. Brodie, the Leafs called up Hollowell and Victor Mete from the Marlies, with Hollowell skating with Jordie Benn on the third pairing during Tuesday’s practice.
It’s a long time coming for the 24-year-old, who made his AHL debut with the Toronto Marlies during the 2019 playoffs, with many of his defensive partners earning call-ups ever since.
Hollowell didn’t take any shortcuts to the NHL. He was drafted in the 12th round in 2014 by Kyle Dubas and was taken by the Leafs four years later as an overager. He played a fifth year with the Greyhounds before turning pro in 2019, where he helped fill a role on Toronto’s blueline during the playoffs. Hollowell then split the year between the AHL and ECHL, with him proving he was too good to be spending time with Newfoundland.
Hollowell was waived prior to the start of the season, but he’s been precious to the Marlies ever since. …

Read More

Author: Steven Ellis / The Leafs Nation

debuts We’re doesn’t getting Hollowell love with