Leafs sign Ryan Rupert

The Leafs have signed forward/kind of maniac Ryan Rupert to a three-year entry level contract.

What’s that you say? “Kind of maniac?”

Brian Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Ryan Rupert of the London Knights in the 6th round, 157th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. 

Belligerence, pugnacity, truculence. Yep – this is a Brian Burke pick

Yeah…

Rupert had 73 points in a full 68-game OHL campaign with London this season, potting 21 goals and 52 assists. Those aren’t overwhelming numbers at the junior level but they certainly aren’t bad.

The 19-year-old is only 5’9″ and 190lbs but what he lacks in size he makes up for in violence.

Ryan Rupert don’t take no guff.

Here he is again in a Leafs rookie tournament game.

Something to consider though…

Your reputation goes before you but Rupert’s penalty minutes are down. Way down. In 2011-12, the season he was drafted, Ruper had 120 penatly minutes. Last year he had 75. This season he’s all the way down to 54. Combined with a full healthy season and 10 points in seven games so far in an ongoing OHL playoff campaign, Rupert is adding to his game.

Rupert is from Grand Bend, Ontario. Sure, he’s a good ol’ Ontario kid, but is he from Mimico?