Maple Leafs Prospect Sam McCue Makes Bold Career Move

The CHL-NCAA agreement that was signed was a landmark collaboration between the two parties, allowing junior players to elect to join the collegiate ranks for the first time ever.

Before that they were considered professional athletes in the eyes of the NCAA even if their age and youth would dictate otherwise, and it led to a lot of missed opportunities for both schools and players.

However this new agreement has led to a wave of junior players electing to head to college in the hopes of not only competing for an NCAA Championship or a trip to the Frozen Four; and hopefully raise their draft stock as well.

For Toronto Maple Leafs forward Sam McCue, he's decided that one more year in the OHL in enough for him and is going to be taking his talents to Bowling Green University to join the Falcons in 2026-27.

The move was also confirmed by McCue's current team, the Brantford Bulldogs:

Not to be confused with the Bowling Green located in Kentucky, McCue instead heads to Ohio as part of the Falcons.

They went 18-14-4 last season in the CCHA, ranking fourth behind Minnesota State, Augustana, and St. Thomas.

McCue, 20, was drafted 216th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2024, and he's already showcased a lot of promise.

He had 55 points in 55 games last season (36 goals, 19 assists) between Owen Sound and Flint (OHL), and in 2023-24 had a 37-point season (23 goals, 14 assists) between Peterborough and Owen Sound.

So far this year with Brantford, McCue has four points in seven games (2 goals, 2 assists) as part of a very, very stacked Bulldogs lineup that includes Adam Jiricek, Jake O'Brien, and internet sensation Alexander Karmanov; who stands 7'0 and weighs 273 pounds.

It's a great move for McCue as he tries to raise his stock and hopefully follow in the footsteps of other Maple Leafs players who have gone through the system.