Maple Leafs Prospect Roni Hirvonen Skates in First Non-Contact Practice with Marlies Following Eye Injury

"It's an exciting time," Marlies head coach John Gruden said on Thursday.

Hirvonen's had an eye injury, which is why he hasn't appeared in any game action for the Marlies since October. Gruden revealed on Jan. 02 that he had begun skating with the organization's return-to-play staff in hopes that a return is possible this season.

Following Hirvonen's first full non-contact skate with the team, he led the squad in post-practice stretches.

"It's exciting to see him out there," Gruden said, "and if things go as planned, hopefully, we'll see him here (in a game) sooner than later."

It isn't known how  close Hirvonen is to returning to game action, but it's promising to see him back on the ice. At practice on Thursday, he skated alongside Kyle Clifford and Dmitry Ovchinnikov for drills, showing off the skill he still possesses. 

Nonetheless, seeing him step onto the ice for a full non-contact skate with the Marlies is massive progress in the player's recovery process.

Hirvonen was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the second round (59th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft. Before coming to North America, he scored 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 57 games last season with HIFK of the Finnish Elite League.