Leafs hopefuls work hard in rookie tournament

The Toronto Maple Leafs will report for physicals on Thursday and hit the ice for their first training camp practice on Friday. But right now in London, the youngest Leafs hopefuls are battling it out at the annual rookie tournament.

It was a whirlwind weekend for Leafs’ first-round draft pick William Nylander. He donned the blue and white jersey for the first time on Saturday night, and assisted on a David Broll goal in a 4-2 victory over Chicago.

Leafs rookie William Nylander: “I haven’t played a game in five months so it was good getting back into it which loosens you up before camp starts. Over the summer I was trying to get bigger and stronger so we’ll see how it turned out going into training camp.”

The Leafs made Nylander a healthy scratch for two of the three games in this tournament, so he’ll be in tip top shape when the team’s main training camp begins later this week. Nylander played on a line with Waterdown native Carter Verhaeghe, a forward with the Niagara IceDogs who scored 28 goals and 54 assists last season, and joins the Leafs rookies here for the second year in a row.

Carter Verhaeghe: “Yah for sure, it’s definitely a little easier. Your going in knowing what to expect and kind of let the nerves out and let you get into a rhythm and play your own game. So it really helps for sure.”

Verhaeghe has also played and practiced alongside Connor Brown, an Erie Otter forward from Toronto who is also trying to make a good impression with Marlies coach Gord Dineen.

Carter Verhaeghe: “I think we’re gonna’ play pretty well together. He’s a great player and we’re going to try and get some chemistry going here.”

The tournament wraps up on Tuesday night with the Leafs rookies taking on the only undefeated team here in London — the Pittsburgh Penguins.