Throughout the season, we will check in on Toronto Maple Leafs prospects to see how they are progressing. The 2020 Draft included a dozen picks and a great deal of promise, but five years out is marked by the tragic death of Rodion Amirov, and other talent that was more conducive to the style of play that former GM Kyle Dubas imagined for his club.
Of the 11 other picks, two (Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela) have left to play in Europe after seeing their pathway for opportunity close, one (Dmitri Ovchinnikov) was traded after a brief stint with the Marlies and now is back playing in the KHL, and four (Veeti Miettinen, Axel Rindell, John Fusco, and Wyatt Schingoethe) went unsigned after their four years in the NCAA or in Rindell’s case, came over briefly and terminated his contract to go back to Finland.
Here is how the four remaining players selected in the 2020 are doing.
Artur Akhtyamov – G – 4th round – 106th overall – Ak-Bars Kazan (KHL)
The 23-year-old goalie was sharing the duties with veteran Timur Bilyalov in the KHL with Ak-Bars Kazan in 2024. Akhtyamov was excellent as Biyalov’s backup ( 2.51 GAA and .921 save % in 17 games), but with the veteran getting most of the starts, the youngster was sent to Neftyanik Almetievsk of the second-level VHL.
This convinced Akhtyamov to come to North America last season, and in his first season with the Marlies, he went 11-8-4, with a 2.81 GAA and .901 save percentage. This season he will split duties with Dennis Hildeby.
William Villeneuve – D – 4th round – 122nd overall – Toronto (AHL)
After winning a Memorial Cup and an excellent season with Saint John, Villeneuve has slowly progressed in three pro seasons. After consecutive 25-point seasons with the Marlies, the 23-year-old blueliner posted 40 points (4 goals, 36 assists) in 55 games. The righty signed a one-year deal with the Leafs in August and cleared waivers to get down to the AHL, but if he puts up good numbers again, it will be tough for Toronto to sneak him through again next September.
Joe Miller – C – 6th round – 180th overall – Harvard (ECAC)
Miller graduated from the Chicago Steel of the USHL to Harvard University and after a strong freshman year for the Crimson, the 23-year-old led the club with 27 points (13 goals and 14 assists) in 32 games, but as a junior he slumped, scoring just five goals. The Minneapolis native will need a big offensive year as a senior to get on the Leafs radar for signing an entry-level deal.
Ryan Tverberg – C – 7th round – 213th overall – Toronto (AHL)
Tverberg has been an overwhelming success based on where he was drafted. Originally committed to Harvard, he shifted to the University of Connecticut after the pandemic. After seasons of 32 points and 30 points with the Huskies, the 22-year-old signed an ELC with the Leafs and played at the end of the 2022-23 for the Marlies. The Richmond Hill, ON native had 32 points (9 goals, 23 assists) in 39 games as an AHL rookie, but slumped last season to 11 points in 46 goals.
In the final year of his ELC, Tverberg has gotten off to a good start, with a goal on the Marlies opening weekend against Rochester.
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