NCAA Champion and Frozen Four MVP Attending Maple Leafs Development Camp

With the draft complete and development camp expected to start in the summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs have added to their roster after sending an invite to overage prospect Owen Michaels from Western Michigan University.

On the season, Michaels improved dramatically with 18 goals and 36 points in 42 games, after collecting just 2 goals and 7 points in 38 games the year prior. Michaels also added two goals in both the semi-finals and championship game, to further cement his MVP honours.

Michaels spent 2 seasons in the USHL prior to his draft-eligible season before embarking on 2-year trip to NAHL as a member of the Bismark Bobcats between 2020 and 2022.

After two solid seasons he returned to the USHL in 2022-23, where he totalled 26 points in 46 games, which led to him committing to Western Michigan University the following season.

The Maple Leafs dropped their development camp roster earlier last week and it's expected to feature a deep group of talented players. Top prospects Easton Cowan and Ben Danford will be present as will fellow 2025 draft class members like Tinus-Luc Koblar, Tyler Hopkins, and William Belle.

Michaels will have to do his fair share to impress the Maple Leafs brass but after such a successful season in the books for Western Michigan University, expect more of the same from the Detroit native, who will have to do battle with 28 other forwards.

The 6'2, 185 pound forward went undrafted multiple times. However, now he's getting an opportunity to shine at Maple Leafs development camp, and will be looking for his chance to stick around and secure a deal with an NHL club, potentially even the Leafs or their AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies.