Newly acquired forward Reese Johnson is pumped to be joining the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.

He was acquired from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for future considerations as one of the final trades made on Friday, trade deadline day. Johnson took part in his first practice for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies on Tuesday in preparation for his debut this week. When speaking with reporters afterwards, Johnson revealed that this was the first time he had ever dealt with being traded, but he was excited about the opportunity in Toronto.

“I  always know that’s part of the game, it’s a business side of it. A little bit of a surprise, but I feel like it’s always an exciting opportunity, and you just kind of roll with it,” he said. “That’s the journey life throws at you. I’m very fortunate to be here. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the organization. So very excited to be able to do my best to help the team be in a good spot and have a good run here.”

The undrafted forward has played in three NHL games this season, where he went scoreless, while spending the majority of the year in the AHL with the Iowa Wild. In 49 games played before the trade to Toronto, Johnson produced 13 points (four goals and nine assists) in 49 games played.

When describing what he brings to the table on the ice, Johnson said he takes pride in going to the dirty areas to be a presence on the forecheck.

“ Always working hard, always do my best to do the little things right. Win battles and then obviously bring physicality; it’s a big part of my game,” he said. “ I feel I’m at my best when I’m moving my feet, getting on on the forecheck, and disrupting plays, creating space for my linemates.  Obviously, you want to get in the D zone, and that’s where it all starts, and just be a heavy presence out there and do the little things right.”

Although it is unlikely that Johnson gets into games with the Leafs down the stretch, he does have prior NHL experience in addition to his time in Minnesota, where he spent parts of four seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. Across a combined 141 games played, he recorded 17 points (seven goals and 10 assists), laid out 450 hits and 55 blocks, and posted a FO% of 51.7.

“ I know he’s a hard worker. I’m excited to see him play,” Marlies captain Logan Shaw said about Johnson. “ It’s tough when he’s in the West, we don’t get to see him that much.  But I reached out to Joey Anderson, he played with him in Chicago. Said he’s an awesome player, awesome person, works hard.  So it’s nice to have him on our team, and I look forward to seeing him play tomorrow.”

Johnson is signed to a two-way contract that carries an AAV of $775K and is an RFA at season’s end. He should help mitigate the absence left behind by the departing Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin while giving the Leafs a depth option to call up if needed.

At the very least, he is another player that fits the mantra of what Brad Treliving is trying to build with the Leafs organization and the type of character he wants on board.

“ I did a little history on him. He’s a power forward,” Marlies coach John Gruden said. “ We’re putting him with [Cedric Pare] and [Matthew Barbolini], three guys that are big guys. Pare  being a smart, reliable center, these two guys can get up and down the wings pretty fast, so I think it can have a little identity there with this line.  We’ll try it out, see how it fits and plays itself out. It always takes time for a line to get some chemistry, but I like what I saw today.”

Johnson will make his Marlies debut on Wednesday against Minten and the Providence Bruins, with puckdrop scheduled for 7 p.m.