Maple Leafs sign OHL goaltender Nick Chenard to ATO, will back up Ilya Samsonov on Monday

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Owen Sound Attack goaltender Nick Chenard to an amateur tryout contract in advance of Monday’s game against the Florida Panthers, per a club release.

Daily Faceoff‘s Steven Ellis was the first to report the news of Chenard being added to the Maple Leafs’ roster on the official NHL.com media site. Chenard will serve as Ilya Samsonov’s backup against the Panthers at FLA Live Arena.

Chenard, 21, posted a 14–16–3 record and an .873 save percentage in 35 games with the Attack during the 2022–23 regular season. The six-foot-four, 212-pound goaltender also appeared in one game against the London Knights during the 2023 OHL playoffs, allowing three goals on 25 shots.

Monday’s game will be one of many firsts for the Maple Leafs, most notably with top prospect Matthew Knies set to make his National Hockey League debut. Knies is expected to slot in for the injured Sam Lafferty on a line with Alexander Kerfoot and Noel Acciari.

The Maple Leafs previously used University of Toronto goaltender Jett Alexander as Samsonov’s backup during their 7–1 win over the Montreal Canadiens over the weekend. Matt Murray is still unavailable as he continues to deal with the effects of a head injury.

Additionally, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs were not permitted to use an emergency recall to bring up Joseph Woll to sit on the bench for their game against the Panthers.

With Chenard now in the fold, the Maple Leafs will take to the ice against the Panthers at 7:00 p.m. ET on Monday evening. You’ll be able to watch the game on Sportsnet Ontario.