via MapleLeafs.com
David Nonis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Wednesday the hockey club has signed forward Carter Verhaeghe (vuhr-HAIG-EE) to a three-year entry level contract. Verhaeghe will join the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies on an amateur tryout agreement for the remainder of the 2013-14 season.
Verhaeghe, 18, led the Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara IceDogs in assists (54) and points (82) in 65 games in 2013-14 while serving as an assistant captain. The 6-2, 185-pound centreman was also third on the team in goals (28) and powerplay goals (tie-13), and fourth in penalty minutes (60). Additionally, Verhaeghe posted four points (2 goals, 2 assists) with six penalty minutes in six playoff games for the IceDogs.
Over the past three seasons (2011-12 to 2013-14), the native of Waterdown, Ontario, has accumulated 50 goals, 92 assists, 142 points and 92 penalty minutes in 194 OHL games for Niagara. Verhaeghe was selected by the Maple Leafs in the third round, 82nd overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.