The Maple Leafs prospect is close to setting new career highs just 23 games into the season.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are off to a strong start to the season, with a big reason being the play of defenceman Noah Chadwick. A sixth-round pick by the Maple Leafs in the summer, the Saskatoon-born defender has already set a career-high in goals despite only playing 23 games this season. A player who is confident with the puck on his stick, he is developing into one of the top defenders in the WHL. 

As mentioned, the Leafs drafted Chadwick at the 2023 NHL Entry in the sixth round. Listed at 6'4", 200 pounds, he was one of 33 players from the WHL to hear their name called in Nashville. While he wasn't at the draft, he details the moment he found out that he was selected by Toronto and the emotions he felt being drafted by an Original Six team. 

"Super special days, super exciting for me and my family, said Chadwick. "It's the Leafs, you know, such a storied franchise, the center for hockey. I couldn't be happier. They are obviously a really good team now, and the staff there is amazing. They've been amazing with me and, and my development here, so yeah, just, you know, super stoked for the future. I was on the ice when it happened, and it just happened. Our coach, who was on the ice with me, he was watching the draft. He just told me that I had been drafted by the Leafs and then had to rush back into the room and pick up the phone right away."

Prior to his WHL season starting, Chadwick had the opportunity to attend Leafs development camp. During that team, he faced off against other rookies in Toronto's system as well as played in the Traverse City Challenge with players like Matthew Knives, Easton Cowen and Fraser Minten. Overall, it is a great experience and a good introduction to the NHL. 

"Lots of go on, but I think definitely, I thought the Traverse City Tournament was definitely a phenomenal experience for me and to get used to a little bit of a faster pace and play with some older guys. That Leafs treated us so well, especially at development camp. We got to go up to the CN Tower, have dinner, and it was a really good bonding experience with a lot of those guys."

Attending these development camps is key as they not only introduce players to the organization but also give prospects the opportunity to work with NHL skill coaches. Through this process, they also get feedback on what areas they need to develop in order to one day make the NHL. As Chadwick explains, the so-called homework the Leafs sent home with him has already been beneficial, as he has become a more dangerous player in the offensive zone. 

"The games a little bit different at that level. I think there are definitely a couple of things. In terms of skating, there's we worked on some skating while I was there. We're just working on being a little more fluent. It was a couple of different techniques, I guess you could say. A couple of things in the ozone with just being dangerous on the weak side, and being willing to go down low and end up in those areas even though it might be a little uncomfortable. I'll still work with the development coaches there and talk about a lot of stuff throughout the season."

When it comes to Chadwick, there is a lot for Leaf fans to get excited about. Not only is he a big, left-shot defender, which is something Toronto is missing from their system, but he continues to improve and become a more dynamic two-way player. If he keeps up this development, he could be a valuable asset for the Leafs moving forward.