Dennis Hildeby’s first full season in North America was by all accounts a success, especially given that he earned a call-up to the NHL partway through the season.

Although he is currently fourth on the goalie depth chart, Hildeby is eager to prove to the Toronto Maple Leafs that he has what it takes to make it back to the NHL, earn a longer look, and thrive on the biggest stage.

Hildeby spoke to TSN’s Mark Masters in a recent interview where he reflected on the previous year and how he’s preparing for the upcoming season, both physically and mentally. The  may not have been on the Leafs roster for long this past campaign, but getting a taste of what the experience of being on an NHL roster was like got him motivated to get back there as soon as he can.

“Obviously the main goal is going to be to get called up and eventually get a start, that’s always what you strive for,” Hildeby said. “You don’t really know until you try it out, so we’ll see about that. But I’ll try to do my absolute best and show them that I’m ready mentally.”

Hildeby’s improved confidence comes from having fully immersed himself in the life of being a professional hockey player in North America. Hhe admitted to feeling nervous coming into training camp last year because he did not know what to expect going into the season but those fears have now subsided because he now knows what to expect.

Hildeby spent 10 days in early January where he travelled with the team and got to stay in nice hotels in cities like Anaheim. Observing what the day-to-day is like and how veteran goalie Martin Jones conducted himself provided Hildeby with invaluable insight that will help carry over into the future.

“I had no clue how a training camp looked or how life in the NHL was, so that was something I thought about a lot before going over and something I was a little anxious about,” he said. “Just having seen all that and to know what to expect is a huge relief for whenever a potential next call-up might come to know what to expect from practices and off-ice training and everything around lunch and breakfast and all that. Just knowing what’s to come is something that makes me a lot calmer.”

Not only did Hildeby gain a lot of insight into what goes into being an NHL player, but he also learned how to handle a large workload as evidenced by his 41 games. That was the highest number of games he played in a season during his career so far, where he was able to post a record of 21-11-7 along with a .913 save percentage, a 2.41 GAA, and four shutouts.

Those 21 wins were the most by a Marlies rookie goalie, which was the cherry on top of a season that also saw him earn a spot in the 2024 AHL All-Star game. Hildeby credits his success with the increased workload in his game getting more consistent and his willingness to adjust his routine which improved his recovery time.

“I started out the year doing what I thought was enough and had to change a few things towards the middle of the season,” he said. “Later on at the end there, I found that I had a great routine before and after practices and games. Felt that my body felt best in the playoffs, so I guess that’s a good sign.”

He later added that he got some critical insight into how to better handle the adversities that come during a long season and how to adjust to the smaller rinks in North America. All of which is to say he felt the season went well despite the Marlies being eliminated in the first round by the Belleville Senators.

Hildeby is spending the offseason unwinding with his family in Sweden but plans to return to Toronto in late August to get in some sessions with goalie coach Curtis Sanford and the coaching staff in preparation for training camp. He may be destined for another season with the Marlies given Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz are locked up as part of the Leafs’ tandem, but he will be eager to prove he can propel himself past Matt Murray into becoming the third-stringer by season’s end.

Toronto’s upper management views him in high regard and they are taking all the right steps to prepare him for the next phase of his development. That was felt in the message that Hildeby got from the team after his season ended.

“They were happy with the year this year, and a lot of positive feedback,” he said. “Management just told me keep on the same path. They showed me that they have beliefs in me, so that’s everything I can dream of, really.”

“No one can predict the future so it’s just take it day by day, see how this season goes and whatever happens, happens”.