The Toronto Maple Leafs are calling on the services of a rookie shot-stopper as they look to bounce back from their season-opening loss.
Netminder Dennis Hildeby is set to make his NHL debut on Thursday as the Maple Leafs visit the New Jersey Devils, head coach Craig Berube announced ahead of the game.
Toronto is on the second half of a back-to-back to start its season, losing the opener against Montreal Canadiens 1-0 on Wednesday. Off-season acquisition Anthony Stolarz played well in the loss, stopping 26 of 27 shots.
However, with primary goaltender Joseph Woll on the injured reserve with a lower-body injury to start the season, the rookie Hildeby was called upon for the start.
Hildeby, 23, spent last season with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. He played 41 games, picking up a 21-11-7 record with a .913 save percentage, 2.41 GAA and four shutouts.
The Jarfalla, Sweden, native was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fourth round, 122nd overall, of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Before joining the Marlies, he played two seasons in the Swedish Hockey League with Farjestads BK Karlstad. In the 2022-23 campaign, he picked up an 11-9-0 record with a .918 save percentage and 2.26 GAA.
Berube also announced that Bobby McMann will draws into the lineup, with Ryan Reaves coming out against the Sheldon Keefe-coached Devils.
