Toronto Maple Leafs sign goalie prospect Ian Scott to entry-level deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that goaltender prospect Ian Scott has been signed to a three-year entry-level contract.

The announcement comes after the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect’s performances have dramatically improved in his fourth season in the WHL.

Scott, the current starting goaltender of the Prince Albert Raiders, has had the strongest start to a season in his entire career.

In 26 regular season games so far, Scott has averaged just 1.61 goals against and has a save percentage of .943 – exceptional numbers by any standard.

This comes after Scott posted a 3.10 goals against average and .897 save percentage just one year earlier with the Raiders.

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At the end of that season, Scott also found himself spending time with the Leafs’ AHL affiliates the Toronto Marlies – making one solitary regular season appearance.

Scott was kept around for the team’s Calder Cup championship run and, despite not playing a single game in the postseason, now has his name engraved on the cup and is credited with the accomplishment.

That run with the Marlies appears to have given Scott valuable experience which he is now using in major juniors.

In 50 regular season games last year, Scott posted a record of 24-16-3 – good enough to get the team into the playoffs – with Scott playing seven games in the WHL postseason.

This season, however, Scott is just one win away from matching last year’s total wins – having played 24 fewer games.

Scott’s Raiders team leads the WHL with a 29-2-1 record, with Scott himself holding a 23-2-1 record for the team – with the Leafs prospect having not played in just six games, all wins, so far this season.

This record sees the Raiders hold a seven-point lead in the WHL standings, having also played two fewer games than the second-placed Everett Silvertips.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have some questionable goaltender depth outside of starter Frederik Andersen and backup Garret Sparks – with the Marlies having issues between the pipes this season.

However, the addition of Scott and the progression of unsigned prospect Joseph Woll should give the organisation plenty of reasons to feel optimistic moving forward.

The 19-year-old goalie is most likely going to remain with the Raiders and look to secure the WHL title. before potentially joining the Marlies on a full-time basis from next season.

What do you think Leafs Nation? Are you delighted with the progress Scott has made this season? Will he turn out to be the real deal when stepping up to the pros? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.