Maple Leafs prospect Noah Chadwick gearing up for jump to AHL this season

Rookie camp is underway as a team of top Toronto Maple Leafs prospects gear up to face future talent from the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens this weekend.

2023 NHL Draft pick Noah Chadwick returns to camp this year with a Toronto Marlies appearance to his name. No longer a stranger to this environment, the 20-year-old is all business heading into this weekend.

“Well, we’re hoping for two wins, first and foremost,” Chadwick said, speaking after practice Friday. “But I think just looking forward to playing with this great group and seeing how we can gel together.”

This year, Chadwick is set to pair up with top Leafs prospect Ben Danford once again, and he’s looking forward to building off what they started last season.

“He’s a great player,” Chadwick said. “I think we had some chemistry last year too, so we built on that again this year. I think we’ll be able to read off each other pretty well and work well together this weekend. Ben’s smart. Good stick, showed that today, good body position. All things you look for in a D. He thinks the game really well, he’s a smart kid, so I think that compliments well.”

Last season, Chadwick was promoted to captain of the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes in his final year with the team. Beyond just being a leader off the ice, he also continued to put up impressive numbers offensively. For the second year in a row, Chadwick posted over 50 points in 66 games played. He also added seven goals and seven assists in 16 playoff games. Hoping to make the jump to the pros full-time, he said he’s focused primarily on his defensive game, but will work to contribute offensively where he can.

“I’m more focused on the defensive side right now, and getting that established against bigger, stronger guys,” Chadwick said. “That’s the priority right now. But I think just adapting to new systems offensively and trying to find spots where I can jump in and contribute, similar to junior.”

With a big opportunity to take his game to the next level this season, the Saskatoon shared his broad goals going into next week’s training camp.

“I’m going to camp with the mentality to grow, try to learn some things from the guys, and just try to assert myself wherever I can in the lineup, if they put me there,” he said. “I’m just looking for an opportunity and happy to be wherever they put me. I know the organization believes in me and that’s nice for me.”

Hearing from Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden on Friday, that belief is evident, and there’s faith in how Chadwick’s game will grow this year.

“Just understanding who he is, you look at what he’s done over two years, how much bigger and stronger he is,” Gruden said. “And he’s got great feet. And the quicker he learns how to close on pucks quick, move pucks quick out of the zone. I mean, he’s got the skill set and size to be an effective player as a pro. So it’s exciting for him to continue to build his game.”

At 6-foot-4, weighing in at 207 pounds, Chadwick has the chance to bring the boom with the Marlies this season. Looking to build his game over the coming weeks, Chadwick will be one to watch as he makes his jump to the pros this season.