New Leafs Draft Pick Models Game After Tom Wilson and Has Already Put the NHL on Notice

A common theme for the Toronto Maple Leafs on the second day of the draft has been filling their prospect pool with size and grit.

After drafting 6'3 centre Tinus-Luc Koblar in the 2nd round and 6'1 Tyler Hopkins in the 3rd round, the Leafs used the first of their two 5th rounders on 6'4" forward William Belle.

Not only is Belle a towering prospect, but he comes in at a solid 225.pounds and brings a level of physicality, grittiness, and competitiveness that the Leafs' prospect pool desperately needed.

Those traits were on full display during his interview after having been selected by the Maple Leafs as his comments appeared to tug on the heartstrings of head coach Craig Berube, who had a thirst for violence back in his playing days.

That "meanness" and attitude that Belle is referring to is probably why he models his game after Washington Capitals' power forward Tom Wilson.

The often-controversial forward has had his fair share of run-ins with the Department of Player Safety, but if Belle can find a way to turn into a version of Tom Wilson that can remain on the right side of the line, the Leafs will have hit this selection out of the park.

Originally born in Minnesota, Belle lived in China for his first 8 years, where he picked up hockey, before returning to the United States.

It's certainly been an interesting journey for the 18-year-old, who notched 10 points in 28 games to go along with 49 PIMs for the U.S. National Development Team this year.

Belle is a raw prospect who will need some time to develop, but he will be doing so this fall as a recruit of the University of Notre Dame.

The physicality is there, but now it's time for Belle to add some more offensive firepower to his game to really further impress the Maple Leafs' front office.