Maple Leafs sign Dartmouth's Haymes to 2-year ELC

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed NCAA free-agent forward Luke Haymes to a two-year, entry-level contract beginning next season, the team announced Monday.

Haymes tallied 12 goals and 18 points in 22 games with the Dartmouth Big Green this season as a junior. The Ottawa native had a breakout campaign last year when he recorded 18 goals and 36 points in 31 contests.

The 21-year-old excelled in the faceoff dot, winning 63.1% of his draws this campaign.

Haymes was ranked No. 1 among NCAA free agents this year by Elite Prospects.

The 6-foot-1 center was named an ECAC First Team All-Star in 2023-24. He'll join the AHL's Toronto Marlies for the rest of the campaign.

Haymes attended the Maple Leafs' development camp in 2023, and he was at the Tampa Bay Lightning's rookie camp last summer.

The Maple Leafs inked NCAA free-agent defenseman John Prokop to a one-year, entry-level contract starting next season on March 20.