The Toronto Maple Leafs have one of the most interesting prospect pools in the entire National Hockey League. As a contender, the team possesses many prospects who have the potential to impact at the NHL level one day. Dennis Hildeby in particular was drafted this past draft in the fourth round as an overager. Hildeby, now 21 years old, has spent the past three seasons in the Farjestads BK organization in Sweden.
Drafting goaltenders is always risky, which is likely why Hildeby was passed on prior to this year. Last season, Hildeby made the jump to professional hockey, playing in seven games in the Swedish Hockey League. The Maple Leafs' prospect excelled in his brief time, earning himself the role as backup netminder. The Swede had a 1.93 goals-against average, .930 save percentage, and a shutout.
This summer, the Leafs signed their goaltender to an entry-level contract, just weeks after the draft. Hildeby was loaned back to Farjestad after attending Leafs Development and Rookie Camp in August.
The Leafs' prospect is touted as having all the characteristics of an everyday professional goaltender. Standing at 6-foot-6 inches, Hildeby is already one of the tallest netminders in the Swedish Hockey League. The left-handed goaltender weighs in at 234 pounds and is noted as a composed, well-positioned player.
To begin the season, Hildeby was pronounced the backup goaltender, behind veteran Matt Tomkins in Farjestad. The Leafs' goaltender currently has a 7-4-0 record in 11 starts this season, as Farjestad sits among the top in the league. The Karlstad-based side currently has 17 wins in 29 games sitting in fourth place in the league.
Det rasslade in rejält med poäng igår efter att ett gäng spelare klivit fram.
— Fantasy.SHL.se (@FantasySHLse) December 29, 2022
Bland annat höll Dennis Hildeby nollan, David Sklenicka gjorde 1+1 med närmare 28 minuter i istid och poängkungen Antti Suomela var stor segerorganisatör för Oskarshamn.
Hur gick det för dig? 👇 pic.twitter.com/i4KvftBpFF
When given the opportunity, Hildeby has risen to the challenge. So far this season, the netminder has matched his past statistics with a 1.90 goals-against average along with a .930 save percentage. Despite his impressive stats, the goaltender is likely to remain the backup goaltender down the stretch.
For more information, view our q/a with Dennis Hildeby
