Toronto Marlies breakout star Alex Steeves credits his success in pro hockey to one simple thing.
His work ethic.
Hailing from Bedford, New Hampshire, Steeves spent three seasons in the USHL junior ranks and three seasons at the University of Notre Dame before signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an undrafted free agent, in March of 2021.
Despite being passed up in the draft twice, Steeves doesn’t see it as a bad thing.
“Even if I had been given that ‘micro-success’ of being drafted I would’ve stayed the course and trained the same way,” said the forward, after a morning skate on Tuesday. “I think if anything it gave me a really good example of adversity early in my life.
“So now that I know how to emotionally and mentally handle things like that it better prepares me to handle future things that come my way in adverse situations.”
Steeves has had a fantastic season so far with the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. As of this writing, he is currently third on the team in scoring with 36 points in his first 41 games.
His performance early on in the season netted him an NHL call-up in December, where he played three games with the big club, netting an assist in the process with 24 minutes of ice time.
Steeves has been one of the many pleasant surprises on a Marlies team that currently sits third in the AHL’s North Division, as five of their top 10 scorers have been AHL rookies, with Steeves leading the way
Marlies are currently third in the Northen Division of the American Hockey League, battling for a playoff spot.