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Maple Leafs Announce Signing of College Free Agent

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 10:40 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue navigating the final stretch of a season to forget while still trying to find some stability across their lineup.

With mediocre production from the blue line this season and the franchise's roster under scrutiny, the Leafs took a step toward the future of the team by looking beyond the current squad for reinforcements.

It is traditional for NHL teams to explore the college free agent market late in the year when the NCAA season comes to an end and players leave their schools.

That approach materialized for Toronto on Tuesday as the franchise announced the signing of a college free agent.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving during a press conference.Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Maple Leafs confirmed the signing of Northeastern University captain Vincent Borgesi to a two-year entry-level contract beginning in the 2026-27 season.

Borgesi will join the Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the 2025-26 season on an amateur tryout.

“The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed defenceman Vincent Borgesi to a two-year contract beginning in the 2026-27 season,” the team said in the statement announcing the signing. “He will join the Toronto Marlies (AHL) for the remainder of the 2025-26 season on an amateur tryout.”

Borgesi, 22, scored 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 36 games this season and was named a nominee for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award. Over four NCAA seasons, he posted 80 points in 135 college games.

️ We’ve signed defenceman Vincent Borgesi to a two-year contract beginning in the 2026-27 season

Details » https://t.co/EjocVsyjd1 pic.twitter.com/D0BiQkSz1t
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 17, 2026

According to PuckPedia, the contract carries a $987.5K cap hit and will expire in July 2028. Borgesi will earn $877.5K next season at the NHL level with a $97.5K signing bonus, rising to $900K and $100K, in salary and signing bonuses, respectively, for the 2027-28 season.

The 5-foot-9 defenseman spent two seasons with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm before arriving at Northeastern University, scoring 50 points in 106 regular-season games.

Borgesi also captained the United States Collegiate Selects Team at the 2025 Spengler Cup.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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