🖊 We’ve signed defenceman William Villeneuve to a three-year entry level contract. #LeafsForever
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Leafs sign William Villeneuve to a three-year entry level contract
Photo credit: @MapleLeafs / MapleLeafs.com
By Nick Barden
Sep 25, 2021, 15:30 EDTUpdated: Sep 25, 2021, 15:28 EDT
The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally signed a player from their 2021 development camp.
The Leafs drafted Villeneuve in the fourth round, 122nd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Villeneuve spent some time with the Toronto Marlies last season, only playing in two games. Prior to that, he played in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs and had 20 points in 33 games.
“Villeneuve is a high risk, high reward defenceman,” said TLN contributor, Kyle Cushman in a recent article, “but we didn’t see enough of those game-breaking plays from him that made him the worthwhile swing in the 2020 draft.“
While at the rookie tournament, he tallied two assists over four games with the Leafs. However, he also did this while defending a two-on-one against the Dallas Stars’ prospects:
Robertson turnover goes the other way, Scott stops the first shot but can't get the second. 3-3
For the season ahead, Villeneuve is headed back to Saint John, where he will play his last season in the QMJHL. After that, he could join the Marlies or Newfoundland Growlers where he’s eligible to play in 2022-23.
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