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Toronto Marlies facts for kids

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For the junior ice hockey team, see Toronto Marlboros.
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Toronto Marlies
Toronto Marlies logo.svg
City Toronto, Ontario
League American Hockey League
Conference Eastern
Division North
Founded 1978
Home arena Coca-Cola Coliseum
Scotiabank Arena (occasional home games)
Colours Blue, white
         
Owner(s) Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
General manager Ryan Hardy
Head coach John Gruden
Captain Logan Shaw
Media The Sports Network
Sportsnet 590
TSN 1050
AHL.TV (Internet)
Affiliates Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Franchise history
1978–1982 New Brunswick Hawks
1982–1986 St. Catharines Saints
1986–1991 Newmarket Saints
1991–2005 St. John's Maple Leafs
2005–present Toronto Marlies
Championships
Regular season titles 2 (2015–16, 2017–18)
Division Championships 7 (2007–08, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2022–23)
Conference Championships 2 (2012, 2018)
Calder Cups 1 (2018)

The Toronto Marlies are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The Marlies are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a company that owns several professional sports teams in the city, including their NHL affiliate, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Marlies have played their home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum since 2005.

The Marlies were established as the New Brunswick Hawks in 1978. The team relocated three times, to St. Catharines, Newmarket, and St. John's, before relocating to Toronto in 2005. As a part of its relocation to Toronto, the team was renamed the Marlies, after the Toronto Marlboros, a junior hockey team formerly sponsored by the Maple Leafs. The Marlies have advanced to the Calder Cup Finals in 2012 and 2018, with the Marlies having won the latter series.

History

The Marlies trace their history back to the New Brunswick Hawks, which were founded in 1978 and jointly operated by the Maple Leafs and Chicago Black Hawks as a farm team. Maple Leaf Gardens Limited (MLGL) and the Black Hawks each owned half of the franchise.

The Hawks played until 1982 when they relocated to St. Catharines, Ontario as the St. Catharines Saints, this time as a sole Leafs affiliate; the Hawks had opted to affiliate with the Springfield Indians. After four seasons, the team moved to Newmarket, Ontario as the Newmarket Saints, where they played for five seasons before moving to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador as the St. John's Maple Leafs, the first professional ice hockey team in Newfoundland and Labrador. The team played their home games at Memorial Stadium until 2001, when they moved to Mile One Centre.

The AHL had a strong presence in Atlantic Canada in the 1980s and 1990s. However, after the turn of the millennium, NHL teams sought to have their AHL affiliates located geographically closer to their parent clubs in order to ease the movement of players between the minors and the NHL. By 2004, St. John's was the only remaining team in the region. Although the team was extremely popular and had excellent attendance, the parent Maple Leafs wanted to cut back on escalating travel costs. By the time of the team's final season in Newfoundland, their nearest opponent was the Portland Pirates, 1,781 km (1,107 mi) away. Additionally, Ricoh Coliseum (formerly CNE Coliseum and now Coca-Cola Coliseum had recently been renovated for hockey use, and the NHL Leafs were looking to place a team there. The Coliseum had been home to the Toronto Roadrunners, top affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, in the 2003–04 season. These factors resulted in the team's relocation to Toronto for the 2005–06 season.

The team is named after the former Toronto Marlboros, a junior hockey team that played in Toronto from 1904 to 1989, the last 62 years of that time under common ownership with the Leafs. The team was long known as the "Marlies" to fans and media alike. To avoid any potential association with the similarly named cigarette brand, MLSE uses the abbreviated form as the team's official nickname.

The Rochester Americans have succeeded the now defunct Hamilton Bulldogs as the major rival of the Marlies, whose parent team, the Maple Leafs, also have a rivalry with the Americans' parent club, the Buffalo Sabres.

During the 2011–12 AHL season, the Marlies advanced to the Calder Cup Finals, the deepest playoff run for a Toronto-based team since the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967. They lost to the Norfolk Admirals in a four-game sweep.

In 2015–16 season, the Marlies moved from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference due to the relocation of five teams to California.

Marlies-vs-stars---061418 42768203642 o (43026404321)
The Marlies with the Calder Cup, the club's first after defeating the Texas Stars in the 2018 Calder Cup Final.

During the 2017–18 AHL season, the Marlies won their first Calder Cup after a 4–3 series win over the Texas Stars in the finals. It was the first professional hockey title for a Toronto-based team since 1967.

On December 1, 2019, Greg Moore was named as head coach of the Marlies, replacing Sheldon Keefe who was promoted to head coach of the Maple Leafs.

Team information

Alternate team logo
Former logo used from 2005 to 2016

The Toronto Marlies' primary colours are blue and white, which is used in the team's logo. The present logo for the Marlies, introduced in 2016, is based on the Toronto Marlboros' logo. The Marlboros were a junior ice hockey team that was formerly sponsored by Maple Leaf Gardens Limited.

Broadcast information

All regular season home games, as well as all home and away playoff games air on AHL.TV, with Todd Crocker as the play-by-play announcer. Select games such as playoff games are also simulcast on The Sports Network.

Season-by-season results

Calder Cup Champions Conference Champions Division Champions League leader

Records as of the end of the 2022–23 season.

Regular season Playoffs
Season Games Won Lost OTL SOL Points PCT Goals
for		 Goals
against		 Standing Year Prelims 1st
round		 2nd
round		 3rd
round		 Finals
2005–06 80 41 29 6 4 92 .575 270 263 4th, North 2006 — L, 1–4, GR — — —
2006–07 80 34 39 2 5 75 .469 220 270 6th, North 2007 Did not qualify
2007–08 80 50 21 3 6 109 .681 246 203 1st, North 2008 — W, 4–3, SA W, 4–3, SYR L, 1–4, CHI —
2008–09 80 39 29 5 7 90 .563 240 229 4th, North 2009 — L, 2–4, MTB — — —
2009–10 80 33 35 6 6 78 .488 193 261 5th, North 2010 Did not qualify
2010–11 80 37 32 1 10[1] 85 .531 228 219 5th, North 2011 Did not qualify
2011–12 76 44 24 5 3 96 .632 217 175[4] 1st, North 2012 — W, 3–0, RCH W, 4–1, ABB W, 4–1, OKC L, 0–4, NOR
2012–13 76 43 23 3 7 96 .632 237 199 1st, North 2013 — W, 3–0, RCH L, 2–4, GR — —
2013–14 76 45 25 2 4 96 .632 223 202 1st, North 2014 — W, 3–0, MIL W, 4–0, CHI L, 3–4, TEX —
2014–15 76 40 27 9 0 89 .586 207 203 2nd, North 2015 — L, 2–3, GR — — —
2015–16 76 54 16[3] 5 1 114 .750 294 191 1st, North 2016 — W, 3–0, BRI W, 4–3, ALB L, 1–4, HER —
2016–17 76 42 29 4 1 89 .586 245 207 2nd, North 2017 — W, 3–1, ALB L, 3–4, SYR — —
2017–18 76 54 18[2] 2 2 112 .737 254 170[3] 1st, North 2018 — W, 3–2, UTI W, 4–0, SYR W, 4–0, LV W, 4–3, TEX
2018–19 76 39 24 9 4 91 .599 248 243 3rd, North 2019 — W, 3–0, RCH W, 4–0, CLE L, 2–4, CHA —
2019–20 61 29 27 3 2 63 .516 206 212 7th, North 2020 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 35 16 17 0 2 34 .486 111 119 4th, Canadian 2021 No playoffs were held
2021–22 72 37 30 4 1 79 .549 243 244 6th, North 2022 Did not qualify
2022–23 72 42 24 4 2 90 .625 229 225 1st, North 2023 BYE W, 3–1, UTI L, 0–3, ROC — —
Totals 1328 719 469 73 67 1578 .591 4111 3835 12 playoff appearances

[1]-Indicates league leading: most shootout losses

[2]-Indicates league leading: fewest losses

[3]-Indicates league leading: fewest goals against

Players and personnel

Current roster

Updated March 10, 2024.

Team roster
No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
26 United States Abruzzese, NickNick Abruzzese C L 24 2022 Slate Hill, New York Maple Leafs
20 United States Bellows, KiefferKieffer Bellows LW L 25 2023 Edina, Minnesota Marlies
10 Canada Blandisi, JosephJoseph Blandisi (A) C R 29 2021 Markham, Ontario Marlies
40 Canada Cavallin, LukeLuke Cavallin G R 22 2022 Swindon, United Kingdom Marlies
43 Canada Clifford, KyleKyle Clifford (A) LW L 33 2021 Ayr, Ontario Maple Leafs
19 United States Cruikshank, GrantGrant Cruikshank C L 25 2023 Delafield, Wisconsin Marlies
90 United States Ellis, MaxMax Ellis RW R 24 2022 Plymouth, Michigan Maple Leafs
57 United States Gambrell, DylanDylan Gambrell F R 27 2023 Bonney Lake, Washington Maple Leafs
24 Canada Gaunce, CameronCameron Gaunce D L 34 2023 Sudbury, Ontario Marlies
12 United States Hellickson, MattMatt Hellickson D R 26 2021 Rogers, Minnesota Marlies
41 Sweden Hildeby, DennisDennis Hildeby G L 22 2023 Järfälla, Sweden Maple Leafs
33 Finland Hirvonen, RoniRoni Hirvonen C L 22 2023 Espoo, Finland Maple Leafs
84 Finland Kokkonen, MikkoMikko Kokkonen D L 23 2022 Mikkeli, Finland Maple Leafs
48 Canada Lajoie, MaximeMaxime Lajoie D L 26 2023 Quebec City, Quebec Maple Leafs
94 United States Mastrosimone, RobertRobert Mastrosimone LW L 23 2023 Bay Shore, New York Marlies
8 United States Miller, TommyTommy Miller D R 25 2022 West Bloomfield, Michigan Marlies
47 Finland Niemelä, TopiTopi Niemelä D R 22 2023 Oulu, Finland Maple Leafs
15 United States O'Brien, JayJay O'Brien Injured Reserve C R 24 2023 Hingham, Massachusetts Marlies
97 Russia Ovchinnikov, DmitriDmitri Ovchinnikov F L 21 2023 Chita, Russia Wild
80 United States Petruzzelli, KeithKeith Petruzzelli G L 25 2021 Wilbraham, Massachusetts Maple Leafs
32 Canada Pietroniro, MatteoMatteo Pietroniro D L 25 2021 Boise, Idaho Marlies
89 United States Robertson, NickNick Robertson LW L 22 2021 Arcadia, California Maple Leafs
11 Canada Shaw, LoganLogan Shaw (C) RW R 31 2022 Glace Bay, Nova Scotia Marlies
36 United States Slavin, JosiahJosiah Slavin LW L 25 2023 Erie, Colorado Marlies
73 United States Solow, ZachZach Solow RW R 25 2022 Naples, Florida Marlies
46 United States Steeves, AlexAlex Steeves F L 24 2021 Bedford, New Hampshire Maple Leafs
77 Canada Tverberg, RyanRyan Tverberg C R 22 2023 Richmond Hill, Ontario Maple Leafs
81 Canada Tychonick, JonnyJonny Tychonick D L 24 2023 Calgary, Alberta Marlies
76 Canada Villeneuve, WilliamWilliam Villeneuve D R 22 2022 Sherbrooke, Quebec Maple Leafs
49 United States Voit, TyTy Voit C R 20 2023 Wexford, Pennsylvania Maple Leafs

Team captains

  • Marc Moro, 2005–2007
  • Ben Ondrus, 2007–2010
  • Alex Foster, 2010–11
  • Ryan Hamilton, 2011–2013
  • Trevor Smith, 2013–2015
  • Troy Bodie, 2015
  • Andrew Campbell, 2015–2017
  • Ben Smith, 2018
  • Rich Clune, 2021–2022
  • Logan Shaw, 2022–present

Head coaches

Calder Cup Final - (06.14.18)-53 (41216020450)
Sheldon Keefe with the Calder Cup after the 2018 Calder Cup Final. He was named as the Marlies head coach in 2015.
  • Paul Maurice, 2005–2006
  • Greg Gilbert, 2006–2009
  • Dallas Eakins, 2009–2013
  • Steve Spott, 2013–2014
  • Gord Dineen, 2014–2015
  • Sheldon Keefe, 2015–2019
  • Greg Moore, 2019–2023
  • John Gruden, 2023–present

Notable alumni

The following players have played both 100 games with the Marlies and 100 games in the National Hockey League:

  • Joey Anderson
  • Bates Battaglia
  • Joseph Blandisi
  • Connor Brown
  • Sam Carrick
  • Richard Clune
  • Joe Colborne
  • Matt Frattin
  • Frederik Gauthier
  • Colin Greening
  • Jay Harrison
  • Justin Holl
  • Korbinian Holzer
  • Andreas Johnsson
  • Nazem Kadri
  • Kasperi Kapanen
  • Brendan Leipsic
  • Josh Leivo
  • Timothy Liljegren
  • Mason Marchment
  • Greg McKegg
  • Brendan Mikkelson
  • John Mitchell
  • Trevor Moore
  • Jiri Tlusty
  • Mike Zigomanis

Team records

Single season

  • Goals: John Pohl, 36 (2005–06)
  • Assists: Jeremy Bracco, 57 (2018–19)
  • Points: Tim Stapleton, 79 (2008–09); Jeremy Bracco, 79 (2018–19)
  • Penalty minutes: Andre Deveaux, 216 (2009–10)
  • Point streak: Spencer Abbott, 13 (Oct. 6, 2013 – Nov. 16, 2013)
  • GAA: Garret Sparks, 1.79 (2017–18)
  • SV%: Garret Sparks, .936 (2017–18)
  • Wins: Garret Sparks, 31 (2017–18)
  • Shutouts: Garret Sparks, 6 (2017–18)

Career

Marlies-vs-stars---061418 27935517317 o (41215945280)
Recording 15 shutouts with the Marlies, Garret Sparks holds the franchise all-time shutout record with the team.
  • Career goals: Ryan Hamilton, 94
  • Career assists: Mike Zigomanis, 116
  • Career points: Kris Newbury, 168
  • Career penalty Minutes: Kris Newbury, 475
  • Career goaltending wins: Garret Sparks, 80
  • Career shutouts: Garret Sparks, 15
  • Career games: Alex Foster, 312

Other records and firsts

  • First game: October 7, 2005. Rochester Americans 8, Marlies 5
  • First home game and first win: October 12, 2005. Marlies 5, Syracuse Crunch 2.
  • First goal: October 7, 2005. Rochester Americans 8, Marlies 5. Goal scored by Colin Murphy
  • First shutout: December 14, 2005. Jean-Sebastien Aubin. Marlies 5, Grand Rapids Griffins 0.
  • First hat trick: January 2, 2006. Luke Fulghum. Marlies 6, Cleveland Barons 1.
  • Most goals scored in a game: 10 (twice): February 8, 2009. Marlies 10, Grand Rapids Griffins 5. February 27, 2016. Marlies 10, Rochester Americans 5.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Toronto Marlies para niños

  • List of ice hockey teams in Ontario
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