Maple Leafs' Farm Marlies Sign Arizona State University Forward Ryan Kirwan To Two-Year AHL Contract

Kirwan led the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) in goals with 26 in 37 games this season.

Sun Devil Athletics / thesundevils.com

The Toronto Maple Leafs are adding to their prospect pool through college free agency once again through the Toronto Marlies.

The Marlies signed Arizona State University forward Ryan Kirwan to a two-year contract, beginning next season. He will join the AHL club on a professional tryout for the remainder of this year.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday Headlines that the Maple Leafs were looking to add Kirwan. "I heard that they're looking hard at him," he reported.

The 23-year-old scored 26 goals and 13 assists for 39 points in 37 games this season. He led all players in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) in goals and finished the year tied for sixth in points.

Before joining Arizona State, Kirwan spent three seasons with Pennsylvania State University, scoring 69 points (34 goals and 35 assists) in 100 games. The 6-foot-2 forward played with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers before committing to university in 2021.

In an interview with PHNX Sports earlier this season, Kirwan mentioned that his shot is one of the most coveted attributes of his game.

"I think that my shot is something I try to take pride in and just getting open for my teammates, using them, playing with them," Kirwan said.

"And I think that just having the confidence to shoot pucks, play with my teammates, and just gain the confidence back, where they're going to find me and I'm going to try and shoot and put one in the net."

Kirwan is the third college free agent Toronto has signed since Mar. 20. The Maple Leafs added Union College defenseman John Prokop and Dartmouth College center Luke Haymes last week.

Toronto signed Prokop to a one-year contract, and Haymes was inked to a two-year deal, beginning next season. They're on amateur tryouts with the Marlies for the remainder of this year.

Both players made their pro debuts with the Marlies on Saturday in Belleville.

Prokop and Haymes, who played against each other in college, signed future contracts with the Maple Leafs four days apart.

thehockeynews.com'A Big Smile Went Over My Face': NCAA Rivals John Prokop and Luke Haymes Start Maple Leafs Journey Together As Marlies Teammates This WeekendProkop and Haymes, who played against each other in college, signed future contracts with the Maple Leafs four days apart.

The Marlies sit third in the North Division, with nine more games remaining in the regular season after a shootout win Saturday in Belleville.

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