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Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tyler Hopkins traded
Photo credit: STEVEN ELLIS/Daily Faceoff
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tyler Hopkins is on the move following a trade in the OHL.
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tyler Hopkins was traded in the Ontario Hockey League by the Kingston Frontenacs, acquired by the Guelph Storm in exchange for 2026 NHL Draft prospect Alex McLean and three OHL priority selection picks.
Hopkins, 18, was a third round pick of the Leafs in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, 86th overall. Hopkins, a center, has 12 goals and 25 points in 29 games this season for the Frontenacs.
«Tyler has established himself as an experienced leader; he plays the game at a very high pace and excels in all three zones", said Storm GM George Burnett in a statement, "We are excited to welcome Tyler and his family to the Storm organization".
Kingston acquires McLean, rated as a "W" prospect by NHL Central Scouting, signifying a projected 6th-7th round NHL draft pick.
McLean has eight goals and 21 points in 30 hames this season for Guelph, this season having both played at center and at left wing.
Frontenacs GM Kody Cooper welcomed McLean to the team in a statement «Alex is a young, talented player with great offensive ability. He has a high hockey IQ and shows great compete during every shift. He will fit in nicely with our team culture and structure.»
"This deal allows us to add a talented young player to our lineup for the foreseeable future. We wish Tyler the best of luck as he moves forward with his hockey career.»
What this trade means for the Frontenacs and Storm, and Leafs
Tyler Hopkins joins a Guelph Storm team that will allow him to play heavy minutes at center, with 2027 draft eligible Jaakko Wycisk leading the Storm down the middle with Flyers first rounder Jett Luchanko having been traded to the Brantford Bulldogs earlier in the season.
Brantford also acquired Leafs prospect Ben Danford, with the World Juniors defenseman having 12 points in 15 games for the Bulldogs since being acquired.
McLean could slot it at center in the top-six for Kingston, or move to the left wing to let Tomas Pobezal move to center, a spot he played back in his native Slovakia.
Hopkins projects to the NHL as a potential bottom-six center who could be a defensively responsible 3C, with Hopkins moving to a Guelph team still competing for the playoffs despite the loss of Luchanko.