Abruzzese signs a two year deal with Leafs

This just in, the Toronto Maple Leafs have re-signed 24 year old forward Nick Abruzzese to a two year contract worth $775,000 per season.

Check it out:

From the Leafs' official press release announcement of the signing:

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has re-signed forward Nicholas Abruzzese to a two-year, two-way contract extension. The average annual value of the contract is $775,000 at the NHL level.

Abruzzese, 24, posted 48 points (16 goals, 32 assists) through 69 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) during the 2022-23 season while adding seven points (two goals, five assists) through seven playoff games. Abruzzese tied for second in assists and ranked third in points among Marlies leaders during the 2022-23 regular season. The Slate Hill, NY native collected two assists in two games with the Maple Leafs this past season. Abruzzese has registered three points (one goal, two assists) in 11 career NHL games with Toronto.

Abruzzese recorded 77 points (23 goals, 54 assists) through 59 career NCAA games with Harvard University. He served as captain of the team during the 2021-22 season where he helped the club capture the 2022 ECAC Championship and led the team to the NCAA Regional Semifinal. Abruzzese was named to the NCAA (ECAC) First All-Star Team on two occasions during his career (2021-22 and 2019-20). He was also named to the 2021-22 NCAA (East) First All-American Team and was selected as the 2019-20 ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year.

- Toronto Maple Leafs

The Italian-American native of Slate Hill, NY played just two games for the Leafs last season, putting up two assists. He managed 16 goals and 48 points in 69 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies last season. 

Most impressively though, Abruzzese represented Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. He scored one goal and four points in four game en route to America's 5th place finish at the Games.

He'll be expected to compete for a 3rd or 4th line role with the Leafs this upcoming season and will likely require some stints in the AHL for additional seasoning, as well.