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Toronto Marlies sign Jordan Papirny to ATO

Photo credit: Twitter / @TorontoMarlies

By Jeff Veillette

Apr 26, 2017, 10:51 EDT

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The Toronto Marlies have picked themselves up a little bit of support in goal this week, signing 21-year-old netminder Jordan Papirny to an Amateur Tryout contract on Tuesday.

			Regular Season	Playoffs
SEASON	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	GAA	SVS%	GP	GAA	SVS%
2009-10	SSAC Lions Bantam AAA	AMBHL	17	2.12	0.906	–	2.87	.902
2010-11	SSAC Lions Bantam AAA	AMBHL	18	1.81	0.918
	SSAC Midget AA 2	NAMHL	–	5.14	0.875
	Team Edmonton South	Alberta Cup	3	3.2	0.886
2011-12	SSAC Athletics Midget AAA	AMHL	20	3.76	0.871	–	–	–
	Team Alberta	WCCC-16	2	1	0.95
2012-13	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	3	2.84	0.893
	Sherwood Park Crusaders	AJHL	1	7.48	0.818
	SSAC Athletics Midget AAA	AMHL	22	2.59	0.915	14	1.61	.946
	Canada Pacific U17	WHC-17	1	6	0.833
2013-14	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	46	3.28	0.9	9	3.45	.914
2014-15	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	59	2.74	0.91	19	2.55	.921
2015-16	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	54	2.61	0.91	21	2.93	.897
	Brandon Wheat Kings	Mem Cup	3	5.16	0.839
2016-17	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	26	3.24	0.906
	Swift Current Broncos	WHL	17	3.15	0.909	14	2.48	.935

While the reason behind the move hasn’t been completely laid out just yet, there are a few potential angles to consider. The most obvious one is

The most obvious one is injury; both the Marlies and their ECHL affiliate, the Orlando Solar Bears had notable injuries occur with their starters in recent games. Garret Sparks was involved in a collision with Miles Wood in Game 2 against the Devils, while Ryan Massa suffered a head injury in an all-out brawl against the Florida Everblades.

With that said, Sparks’ disappearance from the last game appears to have been a preventative decision with a three-goal lead in tow, and while the idea of Kasimir Kaskisuo going down to try to keep the Bears alive sounds good on the surface, it would’ve been put into action already if it was a realistic option; Orlando has already played two games with Mitch Gilliam and Kris Joyce donning the pads. It hasn’t gone too well for them, with both games becoming losses, but one would suspect that Gilliam will be back in net for tonight’s winner-take-all Game 7.

More likely, the Marlies are more focused on getting a fourth goaltender to join the team for practices once the Leafs’ junior core begins to make their way to the Marlies; typically at this time of year, Toronto’s roster balloons to the point of requiring separate scrimmages to get all their players on the ice.

It also gives them a look towards next year; of all the above goaltenders mentioned, only Kaskisuo has a contract next year. Should they choose to not qualify Sparks (or the not previously mentioned Antoine Bibeau) and not offer Massa a shot at the AHL next year, bringing in Papirny now could be a precursor to a contract or at least a training camp invite. Certainly, his experience with playing starters minutes and his solid (though not elite) numbers in junior would lead you to believe that he’s got a shot at continuing his hockey career into the pro ranks.

Until we know for sure, though, he’s just another player on a list of many hoping to get a look.