Joey Anderson has established himself as one of the Toronto Marlies top forwards in 2022.
Following a shortened 2020-21 season when travel was restricted and games were canceled, the fourth-year pro is finally able to play consistent games against the top teams in the AHL.
The right-winger is having a tremendous second season with the Marlies, leading the team with 21 goals in 45 games.
“It’s been a real comfortable year with the group of guys, I know we all get along really well,” said Anderson when asked about his strong performance this season, during a scrum after Tuesday’s morning skate. “It’s just being able to find some comfort in my game.
“It comes in streaks, but just making sure we take advantage when they start going in. To make sure we put in as many as we can.”
With his goal in Tuesday’s game against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, the Roseville, Minn., native set a new career high in points with 35.
At only 23 years-old, Anderson has also emerged as one of the young leaders on the team.
“He’s a heart and soul guy. He wants to do right every shift. He takes what the coaches ask of him and tries to apply the best he can in a positive way,” said Marlies Assistant Coach A.J. MacLean on Tuesday.
“He holds his teammates and linemates accountable to execute and compete hard. He’s just a born leader and he shows it every single time he’s at the rink.”
For Anderson, maintaining consistency will be key going into the final stretch of games in the regular season, and that means keeping it consistent.
“When you get to this level, I think the difference between being a fringe NHL guy between the AHL and NHL is really just being able to do it every night and be consistent with it,” said Anderson.
“You know, if I can do that regularly, then that’s a good step forward here going into playoffs and ideally, we make a run towards the Calder Cup.”