Leafs sign defenceman Joseph Duszak

According to collegehockeynews.com, the Leafs have officially signed college free agent defenceman Joseph Duszak.

The 21-year-old right-handed defenceman is currently the top-scoring defenceman in all of college hockey, scoring 16 goals and 31 assists in just 37 games for Mercyhurst University.

Mercyhurst is in the Atlantic Hockey Association, a conference in Division-I, but still does not have the best of college hockey teams.

There were also reportedly several NHL clubs in on Duszak and most noticeably the Boston Bruins. GM Don Sweeney apparently went to view the defenceman in-person a few weeks ago.

At 5-foot-10, Duszak is certainly not the most physical player but he more than makes up for it with his speed and skill – a philosophy this current Leafs team adopts.

He uses his goalscoring ability as well as a very good sense of the ice and can send quick passes up the ice for scoring chances. Certainly, a highly thought-of asset to have on this current Leafs team.

The New York native has played a total of 101 games in Division-I and earned 99 points along the way.

This season, his 47 points are the third-most in the NCAA among all positions on the ice, not just defencemen.

Duszak will most likely make his professional hockey debut with the Marlies this season and depending on his performance, in the running for one of the final blueline positions this fall.

An official announcement from the team is expected today or tomorrow.