The Leafs select Hudson Malinoski with their fifth round pick

Four rounds after making their first pick in Nashville, the Leafs finally got to make their second selection deep into the fifth round to bring in Hudson Malinoski.

Malinoski spent his draft year with the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL where he recorded 69 points (16 goals and 53 assists) in just 44 games played, good enough for fourth on the team in scoring. He added seven points (three goals and four assists) in 15 playoff games to help the Bandits capture the 2023 Centennial Cup.

Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 174 pounds, the Canadian centre comes with a good size for a player at his position who still has room to grow. The 19-year-old has committed to Providence College where he is set to begin his college career this fall.

Based on scouting reports, Malinoski is described as a quality skater with great mobility and a hard drive to the net. He possesses a nice shot and has a strong vision of the ice, with good puck-handling skills to match. He lost a significant amount of development time due to a freak accident where he fell off the roof of his house and suffered a torn vertebral artery. He went through an extensive surgery process to make a full recovery, which is why he got loud cheers from his friends and family after getting picked by the Leafs.

Malinoski may be considered a project, but with all that he has been through, a motivated player with a chip on his shoulders is one worth betting on. Certainly an intriguing NCAA prospect to keep an eye on beginning in October.