Dennis Hildeby is moving past rollercoaster 2024-25 season after signing 3-year extension

It’s likely Hildeby will start the season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, but he’s the clear No. 3 goalie for the Maple Leafs. Hildeby spoke about his relationship and what he learned from Anthony Stolarz last season.

“He was a great guy to watch,” Hildeby said of Stolarz. “A big guy like me. I really like how effective he is in net, and it’s something I’m kind of trying to go towards also. He’s a great guy in the locker room and he’s been taking care of me a lot.”

Hildeby posted a 3-3-0 record with a .878 save percentage in six starts with the Maple Leafs last season. He was much better at the AHL level for the Marlies, earning a 16-9-4 record with a .908 save percentage.

“It was kind of a rollercoaster of a season, a little up and down there. There was a lot of new stuff I tried to implement into my game that maybe didn’t work out at first. Tried a lot of new stuff and figured out my game more. This season is more about getting back to taking all this new stuff and make it come together in a way that works for me.”

Hildeby was ranked as the No. 3 prospect within the Maple Leafs system by The Leafs Nation and it’s clear the organization believes in his upside as a massive goaltender, who continues to shows improvement at the professional level. Now that he’s under contract for the next three years, with the ability to move freely between the Marlies and Maple Leafs, Hildeby will be afforded a real pathway towards developing into a bona fide NHL starter down the line.