The Toronto Maple Leafs are adding to their prospect pool through college free agency once again through the Toronto Marlies.
The Marlies signed Arizona State University forward Ryan Kirwan to a two-year contract, beginning next season. He will join the AHL club on a professional tryout for the remainder of this year.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday Headlines that the Maple Leafs were looking to add Kirwan. “I heard that they’re looking hard at him,” he reported.
The 23-year-old scored 26 goals and 13 assists for 39 points in 37 games this season. He led all players in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) in goals and finished the year tied for sixth in points.
Before joining Arizona State, Kirwan spent three seasons with Pennsylvania State University, scoring 69 points (34 goals and 35 assists) in 100 games. The 6-foot-2 forward played with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers before committing to university in 2021.
In an interview with PHNX Sports earlier this season, Kirwan mentioned that his shot is one of the most coveted attributes of his game.
“I think that my shot is something I try to take pride in and just getting open for my teammates, using them, playing with them,” Kirwan said.
“And I think that just having the confidence to shoot pucks, play with my teammates, and just gain the confidence back, where they’re going to find me and I’m going to try and shoot and put one in the net.”
News | We've signed forward Ryan Kirwan to a 2-year contract.#LongLive pic.twitter.com/pi2pt1LszH
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) March 30, 2025
Breakdown on LW Ryan Kirwan:
- 23yo, 6'2/205, speedy, strong, tenacious sniper
- 5th on team in CF% (54.5), 8th in xGF% (52.7)
- he is definition of a sniper, that's all he does
- no penalty-killing, no big defensive role
- leads NCAA in all-sit. SOG/60 (17.6), Goals/60 (2.7)— Sam Tirpák (@SammyT_51) March 30, 2025
The Toronto Marlies have signed F Ryan Kirwan to a 2-year AHL contract.
Kirwan scored 26 goals and 39 points in 37 games this season at Arizona State. Tied for 3rd in the NCAA in goals.@FriedgeHNIC reported earlier tonight that the Leafs had interest in Kirwan
— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) March 30, 2025
Inaugural College Puck NXT 2024-25 FINAL AWARD CEREMONY!
Portal Pickup of the Year
1. Rhett Pitlick Minnesota State
2. Matthew Wood Minnesota〽️
3. Gunnarwolfe Fontaine Ohio State
4. Eric Pohlkamp Denver
5. Ryan Kirwan Arizona Stateby: @admanlucass https://t.co/fBfFoPR1Uo pic.twitter.com/bmtekTGEqZ
— College Puck NXT (@CollegePuckNXT) March 26, 2025