Maple Leafs sign prospect Ryan Tverberg to three-year entry-level contract

A native of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Tverberg had a team-leading 15 goals to go along with 15 assists in 35 games for the Huskies this year. Over his three seasons in the NCAA, he amassed 33 goals and 36 assists in 85 games.

Tverberg was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey during the 2021-22 season, was named to Hockey East’s First All-Star team, and earned a selection to the NCAA (East) Second All-American Team. He was also a late cut for Team Canada’s roster for the 2021 World Juniors.

The Leafs had already made 11 selections in the 2020 draft before they traded back into the seventh round to select Tverberg with the 213th overall pick. Little was known about him coming out of the OJHL, and after the pandemic forced him to alter his plans, he switched his NCAA commitment from Harvard to join UConn for the second half of the 2020-21 season.

Tverberg lined up on the wing for the better part of his first two seasons with UConn but played center more frequently in 2022-23, adding to his versatility. Here is what I wrote about the 2020 seventh-rounder for TLN’s Midseason Leafs Prospect Ranking, where he landed the 12th spot on my list:

There are still questions regarding Tverberg’s ability to produce at the pro level, but his style of play raises his floor as an NHL prospect. It all starts with his motor as he provides consistent energy and tenacity, which helps facilitate his offensive game in the NCAA. Tverberg has good straight-line speed that he uses to get in on the forecheck and lay the body, but he can also be a threat off the rush with his ability to beat defenders to the outside. He also protects the puck well despite his average size and causes his fair share of havoc in the middle of the offensive zone. There are just a lot of traits to his game that project well to the NHL, even if he likely tops out as a third-liner.

With Tverberg’s entry-level contract only kicking in for the 2023-24 season, the Leafs still have one available contract slot for this season – presumably for Matthew Knies, who was just named the B1G 10’s Player of the Year. Tverberg will gain valuable experience down the stretch and into the Calder Cup playoffs with the Marlies and will participate in his first NHL training camp next fall.

(Statistics from EliteProspects.com)