Dennis Hildeby will make his NHL debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday evening against the New Jersey Devils, head coach Craig Berube confirmed to the travelling reporters.

Hildeby was recalled on an emergency basis Wednesday and is widely considered one of the rising goaltending prospects across the NHL. Toronto’s third-ranked prospect from The Leafs Nation’s rankings played 41 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in 2023-24, posting a 21-11-7 record with a 2.41 goals against average and .913 save percentage.

“He’s played well in pre-season. Really liked his game in Montreal in pre-season, so he’ll be net tonight,” Berube said via TSN’s Mark Masters.

When asked why Hildeby got the nod over Matt Murray, Berube merely said it was ‘a management thing’ — Murray cleared waivers on Monday and was returned to the Marlies.

The 23-year-old was selected 122nd overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Maple Leafs and his towering frame and lateral mobility ought to lend itself well at the NHL level. It has been a rapid ascent for Hildeby and Woll’s injury presents him with an opportunity to make a real impression on Berube and general manager Brad Treliving, as the Maple Leafs push forward throughout the regular season.

In additional news, Bobby McMann will enter the lineup and replace Ryan Reaves. McMann was rendered a healthy scratch despite a stellar training camp and can be moved throughout the lineup.

Anthony Stolarz started Toronto’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night, where he excelled in a 1-0 losing effort, making 26 stops. The 30-year-old was brought in on a two-year deal to effectively form a tandem alongside Joseph Woll.

Woll was widely considered to be the projected starter for Wednesday’s game but he was ruled out due to ‘lower-body tightness’ via Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube. Berube said the move was precautionary and didn’t preclude him from potentially suiting up Thursday. After Toronto’s media availability concluded, Woll was moved to injured reserve and he’ll miss a minimum of three games, with his first possible start potentially coming October 16 against the Los Angeles Kings.