With his next goal, Alex Steeves will set the Toronto Marlies franchise record for most in team history.
The 25-year-old forward goes into the Marlies’ home game on Friday night — their first at the Coca-Cola Coliseum since Jan. 8 — against the Laval Rocket with 94 career goals, tying him with Ryan Hamilton.
Earlier this season, Steeves passed Kris Newbury for most points in Marlies history, and now has 194.
Steeves leads the American Hockey League with 25 goals in 34 games and is fourth in scoring with 40 points.
Despite his prolific offence in the minors, Steeves hasn’t had much of an opportunity to show his stuff with the Maple Leafs in four seasons, playing in just 11 games, including four in 2024-25.
As Steeves goes about breaking Marlies records (with 100 career assists, he’s 17 shy of passing the mark of 116 held by Mike Zigomanis), he has been able to park the frustration at not getting a longer look in the National Hockey League.
“It’s all about perspective,” Steeves said after the Marlies practised on Thursday. “On the inside, I’m an extremely ambitious person who wants more. But I’m also grateful for what I have with the Marlies, and I know that — on the surface, it’s frustrating to not be getting more of a look up there — I’m in a great spot, and I’m controlling what I can to get better every day.
“It’s staying patient and continuing to get better every day, working with coaches, working with my teammates and my time will come. I find solitude in that.”
Steeves keeps in mind the career path of good pal Bobby McMann, who had stints in the ECHL before finding his way with the Marlies and eventually the Leafs. Now, McMann has entrenched himself in the Leafs’ top nine forwards with an eye to becoming a mainstay in the top six.
McMann, who is three years older than Steeves, didn’t take a direct route to the NHL after the Toronto organization signed him as a free agent.
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“Bobby and I are not the same player, but similar in the sense we’re both probably shoot-first goal scorers,” Steeves said. “It took him a long time to break in. I watch the Leafs games now, and I think, ‘Wow, where would this team be without him?’ He’s such a key part. For me, it’s just looking at all those experiences and keeping the belief that good things will come my way.”
The summer could shape up to be an interesting one for Steeves, as he is headed for Group 6 unrestricted free agency. He will be eligible in that he is 25, has played in at least three professional seasons and has played in fewer than 80 games in the NHL.
“It’s definitely something to think about, the business side of things,” Steeves said. “But I can’t stress enough, I still want to be a Leaf. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.
“It’s not as much thinking about the summer as I want a change. It’s added flexibility that could help me if I need it, but it’s not something that I’m waiting for. I would love to get back up there, but my focus is on the day-to-day, and good things will happen.”
X: @koshtorontosun