Fifteen years after the Maple Leafs drafted Brad Boyes, the Mississauga native finally is going to get to make his debut in the blue and white.
“It’s going to be fun, different, exciting,” Boyes told the Toronto Sun after signing a one-year contract for a reported $700,000 US on Sunday afternoon. “When I signed to come in for the professional tryout, I was kidding the equipment guys that they had to dust off my old nameplate.
“I really feel like I deserved (a contract). I felt I did well (in pre-season games) and earned it.”
A meeting with Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello brought some clarity for Boyes: He’s going to be expected to score goals as much as possible and at the age of 33, add some leadership in the dressing room.