Noah Chadwick might not get into many games with the Marlies, but he’s just excited to be around the team as they push to the playoffs.
The 18-year-old defenseman, who the Maple Leafs drafted in the sixth round (185th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, had a standout season with the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes, scoring 56 points (12 goals, 44 assists) in 66 games this season.
“It was a good year personally for me, and the team. Unfortunately, we didn’t do our best in playoffs, so I think, as a team, we’re just ready to get back to it next year and go on a revenge tour,” Chadwick said with a smile.
It was his second full season in junior and Chadwick put up career highs in both goals and assists. He finished the year 10th among defensemen in the WHL for most points.
Because of his strong play, the Maple Leafs signed Chadwick to a three-year, entry-level deal on Dec. 22.
“I just think confidence-wise, the mental side, I think I took a step,” he said of what led to his offensive output. “I think a lot of work on my offensive game and skills in the summer. I think that was the biggest piece.”
Chadwick and Lethbridge were swept 4-0 in the first round of the WHL playoffs by the Swift Current Broncos, and following the elimination, the young defender made the trip to Toronto to join the Marlies for their playoff push.
He skated in Toronto’s practice on Tuesday inside Coca-Cola Coliseum.
“Everyone’s been really nice and welcoming,” Chadwick said, “so great to finally get out there.”
The Marlies’ defence is already pretty full with the likes of Max Lajoie, Marshall Rifai, Mikko Kokkonen, Topi Niemela, William Villeneuve, Cameron Gaunce, and Matteo Pietroniro playing key roles, so it remains up in the air if Chadwick gets into a game.
Either way, the Maple Leafs’ message to him is to take it all in.
“It’s just that. It’s just being a sponge and work hard while I’m here. I mean, whether I play or not, it’s just a phenomenal experience for me just to keep growing as a player and a person.”
Chadwick first came to Toronto last summer for Maple Leafs development camp. When he looks back on the player he was then to where the defender is now, he believes his game has grown greatly in Lethbridge.
“I think I grew my game throughout the season and it’s nice to have had a few of [the Leafs’] staff members come out to Lethbridge and work with me on the ice and in the gym,” Chadwick said.
“I just think I maintained a pretty good amount of strength during the season, and I think [I’m] a little more mature from it.”
Now, he joins a Marlies team where those staff members are abundant. Chadwick says he hopes to use those resources as much as he can, to again — as he did throughout the season — continue to mature.
“Just the amount of resources here is phenomenal, and I think just about asking as many questions as I can,” Chadwick added of what he hopes to take away from this experience.
“We have dieticians and strength coaches and unreal skill coaches here too. So, I think, just whatever they have for me to just keep growing my game all around.”
Along with the plentiful resources, there are also the players within the Marlies room who can help Chadwick’s game. And after his first practice with the team, he’s excited to gain experience alongside Toronto’s defensemen.
“It’s nice to have the older and more experienced defencemen to lean on and they help me out a ton. Just little pointers in between drills and stuff. That goes a long way.”
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