Frame the Toronto Marlies current road trip this way: They’re seeing way more palm trees in January than around Syracuse or Utica.
The Maple Leafs’ farm team is getting a taste of sun-belt NHL travel in its first California road trip. It’s been an optical and statistical success so far, a record of 2-1 after beating the Bakersfield Condors, splitting with the San Jose Barracuda and starting consecutive games against the San Diego Gulls Wednesday night.
They come home through Bakersfield again on Saturday.
“It’s been awesome, lots of things to see, lots of time to bond,” said captain Logan Shaw in a phone interview from San Diego. “It’s great to get a feel for the whole American Hockey League.”
When the AHL re-aligned a few years ago, with a Pacific Division that grew to 10 Canadian and American clubs, including the Vegas Golden Knights putting their franchise in suburban Henderson, Nev., and Seattle in Palm Springs, Cal., those teams could only meet an Eastern foe in the Calder Cup final.
That was amended for 2024-25. Opening night at Coca-Cola Coliseum saw San Diego visit, followed by San Jose. Now, the Marlies are escaping the deep freeze here with this twist in their annual ‘Boat Show’ road trip when CCC is flooded for a few weeks for aquatic craft and the team usually is bussing through the wintry Eastern seaboard.
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“It’s been a bit colder than you’d picture California, but a bunch of us went out on a fishing boat (Monday),” Shaw said. “We’re doing a few things we couldn’t elsewhere on the road in our (Northern) Division.
“I played a couple of games in San Diego when I was with the (parent) Anaheim Ducks, so did Joseph Blandisi, and we’re both enjoying playing tour guide for everyone here. But we haven’t forgotten it’s a business trip. We have three games worth a possible six points before the all-star break.”
After starting the 22-day trek with a win and loss in Syracuse and Utica, respectively, the Marlies flew south via back-to-back shutouts against the Manitoba Moose in Winnipeg. That resulted in netminder Matt Murray getting recalled to the Leafs when rookie Dennis Hildeby struggled in the 3-0 loss to Vancouver in relief of over-worked Joseph Woll.
Hildeby rejoined the Marlies in California and made 30 saves Saturday in a 4-3 overtime win over San Jose.
“Dennis is a fabulous goalie with a lot of upside,” Shaw said. “He’s mentally strong in how he treats himself and his body. The games are big for him. It’s harder for young guys to get used to the travel we do all year, to arrive on a bus in Cleveland at 4 a.m. and have to play at 4 p.m. the same day.
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“All three of our goalies here now (Russian rookies Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peska) have been our backbone.”
Earlier in the trip, forwards Jacob Quillan and Nikita Grebenkin were recalled by the Leafs. Winger Alex Steeves remains hot with a team-high 22 goals and 37 points. Alex Nylander, Nick Abruzzese, Blandisi and Shaw are all in the 20-point range.
Shaw, Steeves and head coach John Gruden are representing Toronto at next week’s all-star game, in Palm Springs, hosted by the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Shaw joked the only people connected with the team unhappy about this week’s venues would be jealous wives and girlfriends.
“I’m sure they want to be here, but we’re grateful they’re keeping things locked down at home the past couple of weeks.”
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