Maple Leafs Make Minor Transaction as Camp Cuts Begin

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that defenseman Owen Conrad has been sent back to the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Conrad, 18, was a free agent invite of the Leafs after going undrafted in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Conrad, a 6'3 left-handed defenseman, had seven goals and 26 points in 64 games last season for Victoriaville.

This is the first move made by Toronto after their initial roster cut which sent down six players, including 2025 third rounder Tyler Hopkins.

It is also the first cut made after the Leafs 4-3 preseason win against the Ottawa Senators. The Leafs roster now sits at 66 players.

Conrad did not play in the Leafs opening game against Ottawa in which most of their rookie players took part, but Conrad played in the Leafs prospect tournament where he did show some potential on defense, although ultimately goes back to the QMJHL to earn another chance at a draft pick this season.

Despite being sent down by Toronto and not getting an NHL contract, Owen Conrad will still have chances to build a potential NHL future in the coming years.

Still eligible for the next two drafts, Conrad could be drafted in those next few years, and as well can play in future NHL rookie camps and on the main roster, as he did as an invite for Toronto.

Conrad, who had been a highly touted player in the year before his draft, was seen as a potential high draft pick as a youngster out in Eastern Canada, and is hoping to unlock some more offense that he had shown in his younger years this season for Charlottetown.

Conrad was ranked as a potential mid-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting, but ultimately went untaken.

The youngster will be looking for a greater opportunity to further his NHL career, and will be hoping to hear his name called in the coming years, and if not, someone who takes the longer path to an NHL chance.