More Signings in Toronto

More contract signings were announced in Toronto over the past few days. However, it wasn’t the Toronto Maple Leafs this time; it was the Toronto Marlies. The Calder Cup champions are looking ahead to defending their crown during the 2026-27 season.

They announced the re-signings of goaltender Ken Appleby and forward Sam Stevens. The Marlies also signed five other free agents. Joining the Marlies are defensemen Ben Meehan and Matt Anderson, and forwards Ross Mitton, Matt Copponi, and Sawyer Boulton.

All seven contracts are AHL contracts, meaning none of these players can play for the Maple Leafs in the NHL. The defending AHL champions have a pretty loaded roster right now. Players will be fighting for ice time. Hopefully that brings out the best in everyone.

Marlies Re-Signings

Ken Appleby

Ken Appleby is a 31-year-old veteran goaltender. He has spent the majority of his career in the AHL and ECHL. Last Season, Appleby posted a record of 23-16-1 with one shutout for the Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL. He posted a 2.92 GAA and a .906 SV% with the Cyclones.

He also appeared in two games for the Marlies, where he went 1-1-0 with a 2.55 GAA and a .909 SV%. The native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, is likely to move between the AHL and ECHL, as the Marlies already have three goaltenders on their active roster.

Sam Stevens

Sam Stevens appeared in just two games for the Marlies last season. Like Appleby, Stevens played most of the 2025-26 season in the ECHL with the Cyclones.

Stevens registered 15 goals and 28 assists for 43 points in 47 games for the Cyclones. The 26-year-old originally joined the Marlies during the 2023-24 season after five seasons in the NCAA with Boston University.

New Additions

Ben Meehan

Ben Meehan is a 25-year-old, left-shooting defenseman. He plays more of an offensive style of game and can help generate offense on the power play. Meehan spent most of the 2025-26 season in the ECHL. He registered 12 goals and 34 assists for 46 points in 69 games with the Reading Royals last season.

Matt Anderson

Matt Anderson is a 27-year-old, left-shooting defenseman. He spent the 2025-26 season split between the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL and Modo Hockey in Sweden.

For the Steelheads, he registered one goal and ten assists for 11 points in 22 games. In Sweden, he finished with three assists in 19 games for Modo.

Ross Mitton

Ross Mitton is a 26-year-old, right-shooting winger. He spent the 2025-26 season in the ECHL with the Worcester Railers. Mitton registered seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 49 games.

Matt Copponi

Matt Copponi is a 23-year-old, right-shooting center/winger. He registered ten goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 40 games for the Fort Wayne Komets in the ECHL. Copponi also registered three points in 29 games for the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL last season.

Sawyer Boulton

Sawyer Boulton is a 22-year-old, right-shooting winger. He registered one goal in six games for the Reading Royals in the ECHL last season. In the AHL, he registered one assist in 16 games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.