New Maple Leafs Prospect Reveals Unique NHL Player Who He Models His Game After

The Toronto Maple Leafs did not have a 1st round draft pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, but they tried their best to make their picks count by using them on certified passion-havers who grew up idolizing the team.

One such example is 3rd round draft pick Tyler Hopkins, who was elated to hear the Maple Leafs call his name on draft day after years of unapologetic fandom.

While Hopkins doesn't jump off the page as a top prospect by any stretch of the imagination, he is worth taking a flyer on as he is a very intriguing project for the organization. He's going to take some work, but if he turns out anything like the player he models his game after, the Leafs will be in a wonderful spot.

When speaking with the media following his selection by the Maple Leafs, Hopkins revealed that he tries to model his game after two-time Stanley Cup champion Anthony Cirelli.

Ironically, Cirelli is also a 3rd round draft pick himself, having been selected with the 72nd overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft -- the same draft in which the Leafs selected Mitch Marner with the 4th overall pick.

Not only is Cirelli a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he is also consistently receiving votes for the Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy, which is an award given to the NHL's top defensive forward every season.

If Hopkins can bring that sort of energy, attention to detail and solid two-way play to the Leafs organization, there's no question that he'll end up being viewed as a steal.