Part of the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ newest batch of prospects from last summer’s draft, William Belle has had an underwhelming season so far in his NCAA debut, but shows promise.

Selected by the Leafs from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Belle committed to playing college hockey with the University of Notre Dame this season. So far this year, the 19-year-old has yet to score a goal, totalling just three assists in 27 games with Notre Dame.

Still, the physical style of play he brings continues to offer promise for his ability to play a depth role. Per Elite Prospects, he’s now listed at 6-foot-4 and 236 pounds, a considerable gain from the 225 pounds he weighed in at nearly eight months ago. That kind of size would easily make him the biggest player on the Leafs roster right now, and while he’s a ways away from making a run at the NHL, it’s worth noting when considering future plans.

Belle was a fifth-round pick in last summer’s draft, after totalling four goals and 12 assists in 55 games for the USNTDP. He ranked 15th on The Leafs Nation’s summer 2025 prospect rankings. Touted for his size and physicality, he told media after his selection that he plays a straightforward game, and offered an intriguing comparison for the type of player he could become.

“My game, it’s simple. It’s north-south, fast, 200-foot hockey. Forechecking, backchecking, playing physical,” Belle said. “A player right now that I play a lot like would be Miles Wood, but somebody I think I could turn into would be a Tom Wilson type of player.”

If penalty minutes are anything to go by, Belle is certainly already lined up with Wilson. Belle had 67 PIM in the USNTDP last season and already has 27 PIM in 27 college games. Steven Ellis noted at the time of his draft that he plays with a mean streak that opponents find hard to play against. That should be music to the ears of Leafs fans, who want to see their team get tougher and more frustrating for opponents.

At the same time, you still want to bank on getting some level of production from your depth players. What makes Tom Wilson unique is his ability to be that hard-hitting tough guy, but also show up on the scoresheet. A young player, Belle has already shown plenty of growth physically, but he’ll need to show that offensively as well to take the next step.

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