The Maple Leafs are adding another collegiate athlete to their roster.
The Athletic’s Joe Smith reports that Toronto has signed Boston University defenseman Cade Webber to an entry-level deal. He also said Webber will arrive in the city on Sunday, before the Maple Leafs’ final road trip of the season to Florida.
Due to his age, the 23-year-old may only sign a two-year entry-level contract. Webber and Boston University were ousted from the Frozen Four on Thursday night, with Denver University winning 2-1 in overtime.
This season, the defenseman recorded six assists in 38 games for Boston. He also holds the NCAA single-season blocked shot record, with 133 this year. Webber played 123 games over four seasons at Boston University.
On March 7, Toronto acquired his rights from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the Maple Leafs’ 2026 sixth-round draft pick. Carolina selected Webber in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
“Cade is a person that our team has been following closely. “Not just this year, but even before that,” Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said after the NHL trade deadline in March.
“He is a lengthy defender. I understand that some individuals may look at his statistics. He prioritizes defense above offense. He has a large body. He moves well and handles the puck nicely. His calling card, however, is defense and penalty killing.
“He’s a man who has progressed a little further in his development. Chris Bourque (Toronto’s College Free Agent Scout) done a lot of work on this. This is a guy he’s been following closely. When the opportunity arose to get him, we did.”
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