Marlies sign Cedric Pare, Sam Stevens to 1-year contracts

Cedric Pare and Sam Stevens signed one-year contracts with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, the team announced Friday.

Pare recorded 12 goals and 26 points in 59 games, while amassing 43 penalty minutes. The 25-year-old pushed for a spot on the Maple Leafs’ roster last fall, where he accidentally collided with Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine in a preseason game. Laine suffered a knee injury but told reporters that he didn’t blame Pare for the injury.

Stevens recorded two goals and four points in 21 games with the Marlies last season. The 25-year-old will likely continue to operate in a bottom-six role at the AHL level, given his lack of meaningful offensive production. Stevens previously spent five seasons with Boston University before joining the Marlies in 2023-24.

Toronto is still revamping its forward corps, and it would take a tremendous training camp from Pare to be seriously considered for a top-12 spot, but he’s shown some ability to produce at the AHL level, and will be an asset for the Marlies.

It’s been a busy week for the Marlies, as they previously signed forwards Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, Ben King, Nick Rheaume and Marko Sikic and defenceman Ryan McCleary to one-year contracts on July 8. Toronto also signed goaltender Ken Appleby and Reese Johnson to one-year deals on July 7.

Fontaine, Johnson and Sikic at this juncture have the likeliest paths to the NHL. Johnson was acquired at the trade deadline from the the Minnesota Wild in exchange for future considerations. He spent the majority of his professional career with the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

Earlier this week, the Marlies revealed their 2025-26 schedule, where it will begin the campaign with a home-and-home series against the Rochester Americans, beginning on the road, before holding their home opener on October 11. The team will also play three games at Scotiabank Arena on Boxing Day, Family Day and St. Patrick’s Day.