Dakota Joshua is a Clark Cup Champion

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Dakota Joshua is a Clark Cup Champion – and on his 19th birthday, no less. 

The Sioux Falls Stampede defeated the Muskegon Lumberjacks this evening by a score of 4-2, completing a three-game sweep in the USHL Finals. Joshua opened the scoring for Sioux Falls in the second period.

With four goals and 13 points in 11 games, Joshua finished third in playoff scoring. Only his own linemates, right winger Troy Loggins and left winger Mikey Eyssimont, outscored him with 16 points apiece. In the regular season, Joshua scored 20 goals and 44 points in 52 games played, good for a 34th-place tie in league scoring.

Joshua was drafted by the Leafs in fifth round of the 2014 draft, 128th overall. At 6’3, 194lbs, Joshua has excellent size to go along with solid offensive skills. While there’s a lot to like about his recent accomplishments, Joshua remains a depth prospect in the Leafs system (which overall isn’t very good). He received several votes in our TLN Midterm Prospect Rankings back in February, but only enough to receive an honourable mention while not cracking our Top 20.

With his USHL career now over, Joshua will make the jump to the NCAA and join the Ohio State University Buckeyes for the 2015-16 season.