Maple Leafs re-sign defenseman to two-year contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs have secured another piece of their future, announcing a two-year contract extension for defenseman William Villeneuve on Wednesday. Financial terms were not initially revealed by the team, though the deal carries an average annual value of $875,000, according to PuckPedia.

Villeneuve, 24, entered the offseason as a restricted free agent after completing another productive year with the Toronto Marlies. The Sherbrooke, Quebec native was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, going 122nd overall after playing for the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

During the 2025-26 season, Villeneuve recorded three goals and 27 assists for 30 points in 61 regular-season games with the Marlies. He also finished second on the team with 64 penalty minutes. His offensive production continued in the postseason, where he played a pivotal role in Toronto’s American Hockey League championship run. He racked up two goals and 21 assists for 23 points in 24 playoff games, leading all AHL defensemen in playoff scoring as the Marlies won the 2026 Calder Cup.

Villeneuve also received his first NHL opportunity during the 2025-26 campaign. He appeared in three games with the Maple Leafs, going scoreless while contributing one hit, five blocks, and a plus-one rating.

The defenseman’s development has progressed steadily since becoming a full-time Marlies player. In his first two professional seasons, he compiled 25 points in 54 games during both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns. He then accumulated a career-best 40 points in 55 games during the 2024-25 season, amassing four goals and 36 assists.

Before turning professional, Villeneuve had a standout final junior season with Saint John in 2021-22, collecting eight goals and 48 assists for 56 points in 64 games. He also contributed an assist in five playoff contests as the Sea Dogs won the Memorial Cup.