Toronto Marlies announce 2026-27 opening night roster

Ahead of Friday’s season opener against the Rochester Americans, the Toronto Marlies announced their 29-man opening night roster. Artur Akhtyamov, the reigning Calder Cup Playoffs MVP is this year’s headliner, while captain Logan Shaw returns for his fifth season with the club.

Akhtyamov was in terrific form for the Marlies last summer, posting a .923 save percentage and a 15-7-0 record during the playoffs. He’s an ascending star within the Maple Leafs organization, and will likely get some NHL starts over the course of the 84-game season.

It’s a compelling Marlies team this season, looking to defend their title. Miles Wood, who was acquired in the Kirill Marchenko-Matthew Knies blockbuster on Monday, is joining the Marlies. Wood is known for his blazing straight-line speed, with 567 career NHL games. Toronto reportedly tried to trade Wood again, following the completion of the Marchenko-Knies trade, but did not find any suitors.

“Yeah, I got a chance to watch him a lot as a young player growing up too, and when he’s at his best, he’s got a straight-line game, lots of speed, grit, a simple player who can forecheck and penalty kill,” Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka said of Wood on Tuesday. “So a lot of good attributes. He’s going to go down to Marlies. He’s already been assigned to the American League and will get a chance to earn his way back up. But when he’s on and he’s healthy, which I don’t think he has been the last few years, we think he can contribute.”

Ben Danford is the most intriguing player on the Marlies’ blue line. Toronto’s 2024 first-round pick helped the Marlies win the Calder Cup, taking major strides in his development off the rush. Danford made a push to make the Maple Leafs’ roster, and could eventually make his NHL debut this season, as one of the most promising prospects within the organization.

Here is the full roster:

FORWARDS: Matthew Barbolini, Sawyer Boulton, Brendan Brisson, Luke Haymes, Miroslav Holinka, Reese Johnson, Marc Johnstone, Vinni Lettieri, Michael Pezzetta, Jacob Quillan, Henrik Rybinski, Logan Shaw, Landon Sim, Sam Stevens, Ryan Tverberg, Borya Valis, Miles Wood.

DEFENCE: Vinny Borgesi, Noah Chadwick, Ben Danford, Hayes Hundley, Cole McWard, Dakota Mermis, Philippe Myers, Marshall Rifai, Blake Smith.

GOALTENDERS: Artur Akhtyamov, Ken Appleby, Samuel Hlavaj