The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed defenseman Noah Chadwick to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Chadwick, 18, has posted 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 30 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) this season. The 6’4, 200-pound defenseman has recorded 47 points (14 goals, 33 assists) in 110 career regular-season WHL games with Lethbridge while adding one assist in eight career playoff games.

The Saskatoon, SK, native was selected by Toronto in the sixth round (185th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Noah Chadwick can’t wait for the chance to be a Toronto Maple Leaf one day. And the Leafs might feel better about his chances than they would have a few months ago, too.

Originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, the lanky, puck-moving defenseman has stormed out of the gates this season. His 36 points in 41 games for the Lethbridge Hurricanes—nninth among all WHL defensemen—aare partly why he signed a three-year entry-level contract earlier than anticipated in December.

Chadwick is the only player from the bottom four rounds of the 2023 draft to have inked an NHL deal. And the Hurricanes assistant captain welcomes the challenges that come with playing in Toronto. He’s got the level head needed to play in a demanding market. Don’t expect Chadwick to read his own praise.

“It’s that much more exciting to be picked by a franchise that can make the impact they do with the fan base,” Chadwick told The Athletic. “But… you’ve got to stay off social media. Don’t even tell me about what Leafs fans are saying about his season. I don’t want to know.”

Chadwick might not be reading comments about his season, but they’re there nonetheless.

That’s because the Leafs blue line is aging out. The need for the Leafs to consider the long-term future of their blue line has become evident this season.

Chadwick’s 6-foot-4 frame, ability to effectively use time and space in transition, and versatility in all situations make him part of a core of intriguing but young Leafs defence prospects, including Topi Niemela and Mikko Kokkonen.

And Chadwick’s rapid progression this season suggests he might have a future with that group in Toronto.

Even from a young age, Chadwick always understood the life of a hockey player.Growing up in Saskatoon, Chadwick’s parents were, and still are, billets for Saskatoon Blades players.

Chadwick’s eyes light up as he fondly recalls spending every day playing mini-stick hockey, road hockey, and even chatting at length about these players’ routes to major junior hockey.

“We don’t have an NHL team in Saskatchewan. They were the heroes for sure,” the thoughtful, cerebral Chadwick said.Chadwick saw what worked and what didn’t for young players trying to go pro. He developed a sense of maturity that his Hurricanes coaches still rave about.

That’s why he wasn’t frustrated after starting his rookie junior season in the WHL only to quickly return to his under-18 minor hockey team.

He wanted to dominate first before moving up a level. And that maturity continues to benefit him. Chadwick has little reason to doubt his future.

“It was the best thing for me,” he said of returning to minor hockey with his draft year on the horizon. “A lot of guys have rushed into the WHL.”