For all the Leafs get memed for constantly acquiring players with some kind of connection with the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds, recent years have established a pretty strong relationship with the Chicago Steel in the USHL. They hired their former coach to the Marlies. They hired their former GM as assistant GM, mostly to manage the Marlies’ roster. And Noelle Needham, who was hired as an amateur scout by Toronto, wound up joining the Steel as assistant GM.
In that time, Toronto has also drafted three players who played on the Steel. First was Nick Abruzzese in the fourth round in 2019, next they drafted Joe Miller in the sixth round in 2020, and this year they selected Nick Moldenhauer in the third round.