Toronto Maple Leafs’ late-round picks

With the 125th pick, the Leafs selected Dominic Toninato of Duluth-East Greyhounds in the Minnesota high school system. Toninato was ranked 149th in NHL Central Scouting, after a strong second half of the season that saw him score 61 points in 25 games.

Toninato calls himself a two-way centreman who is a playmaker and takes face-offs, modelling his game after Jonathan Toews. He’s due to go to the University of Minnesota-Duluth this fall.

The Leafs then had two consecutive picks, 156 and 157. Both were spent on Ontario Hockey League players, with 156 being spent on Connor Brown of the Erie Otters. Brown is a small winger, standing 5’11” and 170 pounds, who scored 53 points in 68 games with the Otters this season. Ultimately, he was chosen over Erie linemate Dane Fox, who is still on the board through six rounds.

With 157, the Leafs made a pretty gutsy selection on undersized defensive specialist Ryan Rupert, who was part of a five-man defensive unit through that OHL playoffs with the London Knights. On this unit was his twin brother Matt, Austin Watson, Jarred Tinordi and Scott Harrington. The Rupert twins primarily played the role of the pests on that unit, and of the two twins, he was the one with the offensive talent.

Via John Matisz, according to Brian Burke, Matt has committed to the Leafs’ prospect camp.

With the 209th overall selection, the Leafs selected Viktor Loov, who plays in the second Swedish division with Sodertalje. A 6’1″, 187 defenceman, he had just six points and 42 PIM in 50 games. Those stats scream defensive defenceman.