Toronto Maple Leafs: Growlers add Marcus Power as first-ever player
By James Reeve
The Newfoundland Growlers, the ECHL affiliates of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Thursday the signing of the organisation’s first-ever player, Marcus Power.
Marcus Power, a left-handed centre, now goes down in the history books as the first player to join the Newfoundland Growlers – who recently replaced the Orlando Solar Bears as the ECHL affiliates of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The signing will be a proud one for both the team and player, with Power being a native of St. John’s, where the team will play from the start of the 2018-19 season.
↕️ ROSTER MOVE | The Newfoundland Growlers sign St. John's native, Marcus Power to a one year, ECHL contract.
— Newfoundland Growlers (@NLGrowlers) July 12, 2018
More info: https://t.co/7Cg158Q2pg
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Power joins the team after spending the past four seasons playing for the University of Prince Edward Island, where he registered 107 points (42 goals and 65 assists) in 110 games.
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The 6 foot, 185 pound centre also had a four-year spell playing major junior hockey in Canada, representing the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the QMJHL.
In 204 regular season appearances during his time in The Q, the 24-year-old had 194 points (57 goals, 137 assists) – earning Second-Team All-Star honours for his performances during the 2013-14 season.
Power’s signing is the first step for the Newfoundland Growlers towards their on-ice team being established, though it will have very little impact for their NHL affiliates.
The St. John’s native has been signed to a one-year ECHL deal and unless he blows the league away, he is unlikely to see himself step up to the Toronto Marlies in the AHL any time soon.
Power does, however, give new head coach Ryan Clowe a player who he can begin to work with and go about adding more building blocks, in the hope of being a Kelly Cup contender in the near future.
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What do you think Toronto Maple Leafs fans? Are you intrigued to see how the Newfoundland Growlers build their team? Which players currently in the Leafs organisation do you expect to play for the Growlers next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!