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Michael Pezzetta eyeing spot on Maple Leafs next season after Calder Cup championship run
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Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Jun 26, 2026, 07:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 26, 2026, 01:14 EDT
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The Toronto Marlies’ Calder Cup championship victory brought a whole new life and energy into the city, all while providing a glimpse of what it would be like one day if the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to bring a championship of their own home. 
On Thursday, Marlies forward Michael Pezzetta joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and David Pagnotta to discuss what it meant to him to win the Calder Cup in his hometown, what he saw from Easton Cowan after he joined the Marlies following his season with the Maple Leafs, and his goals heading into next season with the organization. 
Pezzetta, a Toronto native, signed a two-year contract on July 1, 2025, to help bring some veteran presence and toughness to the organization. Through 39 games with the Marlies this season, Pezzetta picked up 11 points before recording five in 23 games en route to the Calder Cup victory. 
During the playoffs, Pezzetta carved out a role on the teams fourth line and provided game-winning goals in back-to-back games during the Eastern Conference Finals, including Game 2’s overtime tally. 
“It was awesome. Obviously, as a kid, when you’re growing up, you dream of winning the Stanley Cup. I guess for us hockey guys, this is probably the next best thing,” Pezzetta said. “It was awesome being able to have my family there, and being a kid from Toronto was amazing. We were at Fan Fest for Canada Soccer, and we brought the trophy out, and the fans were just so receptive, and you could really see their support.”
The Marlies received a big boost following the completion of the Maple Leafs’ season in the form of Cowan’s arrival. After recording 29 points in 66 games during his rookie year with the Maple Leafs, the 2023 first-rounder totalled 18 points through 22 games during the AHL playoffs. 
Cowan scored the game-winning goal with 12 seconds left in Game 5 of the North Division Finals to help the Marlies move on, while also picking up the lone tally in Game 3 of the Marlies’ 1-0 win over the Chicago Wolves during the finals, which put the Marlies on the brink of something special. 
“When he wanted to take over a game, he could just take over the game. He’s such a skilled player and such an elite talent,” Pezzetta said. “I think for him, it’s obviously tough, like you play a full season in the NHL, and you come down to the AHL for playoffs. Obviously, you don’t have the same relationships with the guys down here, but he came in, and he did his job. He was amazing for us and obviously a huge part of why we won.”
Pezzetta was able to appear in nine games with the Maple Leafs this season after making his debut with the club on March 12 during the Maple Leafs’ 6-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old notably fought Jeffrey Viel one second into his debut and brought a passion that resonated with much of the fan base. 
Heading into next season, Pezzetta is set to make $800k if he is at the NHL level and is hoping to use this summer to put himself in the best position possible to claim a spot on the Maple Leafs’ roster next year. 
“For me, it’s getting back to where I know I can be. I want to be in the NHL and be an NHL player. I thought I had a great playoff, and our line did really well together,” Pezzetta said. “For me, it’s having a big summer. I’m obviously going to take some time to rest and get my mind off the game a bit after playing hockey until the end of June, but once that’s done, it’s all business. Put on the gas and work on the skills I need to get to where I want to be. I want to be there, and for me, it’s coming into camp with the mentality that I’m going to take a job.” 
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