Toronto Maple Leafs defensive prospect Alexander Bilecki earned a bit more responsibility heading into the 2026-27 season with the Kitchener Rangers.
With training camp underway for the Maple Leafs, they are focused on getting their current lineup ready for the rigours of the 2026-27 season, but so too are their prospects. Several top names are either heading to the NCAA or back to their junior squads in the hopes of giving themselves a better shot of making the team next year.
One of those prospects was the 60th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, Alexander Bilecki. An offensive-minded blueliner, Bilecki had a solid showing in the Prospect Showcase, though is still a little ways away from making the leap professionally.
Alexander Bilecki earns captaincy role with the Kitchener Rangers
However that doesn't mean he isn't being rewarded though. It was announced yesterday that Bilecki's OHL team, the Kitchener Rangers, had named the defenseman an assistant captain with the team, alongside captain Andrew MacNiel, and fellow assistant Luca Romano:
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MacNiel is a prospect in the Canadiens organization meanwhile Romano represents Long Island as part of the Islanders pipeline.
Bilecki, 18, had 29 points in 66 games for the Rangers last season, including nine goals. For his OHL career, he has 43 points in 111 gamesand has all the tools to be one of the best offensive players in the Maple Leafs pipeline. He's ferocious on the puck, loves to pinch, and has the confidence to take chances others might now.
He does need to work on the defensive side of things a little bit, and make sure his positioning is a little more stable. During the Showcase, he had some issues and a blown tire led to a 3-on-0 opportunity for the opposition, but there's loads of time for him to figure it out.
Where does Alexander Bilecki fit in the Maple Leafs future?
Now it's certainly a little premature to say that Bilecki is going to make the leap, but another strong season in the OHL combined with a growth in leadership ability is only going to benefit him.
He's also one of several puck-moving defenders that the team added through the draft, with Ethan MacKenzie also looking to become part of the equation. Add in Noah Chadwick, Vinny Borgesi, and Emil Andrae throughout the system and he's going to have a bit of an uphill climb.
But he's also a player who could be a perfect complement alongside Ben Danford in the future, and with Danford looking to make waves with the Marlies this season, we might see Bilecki do the same in 2027-28 - and find himself closer to a Maple Leafs job.
He's blocked from both an AHL and NHL job, though giving him more time in junior is only going to benefit him, so there's no reason to rush him in anyways. It's time to see how Bilecki leads with the Rangers this year, because a strong year means a stronger chance of being part of the Maple Leafs sooner than later.
Do you think Alexander Bilecki can make the leap to the NHL in 2027-28?
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