In his NHL pre-season debut, the towering Dennis Hildeby showcased his goaltending prowess, turning aside 26 of 27 shots to lead the youthful Toronto Maple Leafs to victory in Montreal. The 23-year-old netminder, hailing from Sweden, couldn’t contain his excitement as he reflected on his performance, stating, “It’s fun. I had a great time. I think the boys had a great time too. A lot of people in the stands.”
The electrifying atmosphere at the Bell Centre, packed with 21,105 passionate fans, set the stage for Hildeby’s stellar showing. Among the spectators was none other than Leafs legend Mats Sundin, who had been attending the team’s training camp. In awe of sharing the ice with the Hockey Hall of Fame member, Hildeby expressed, “It’s an extremely cool experience. He’s not only one of the Leafs’ biggest legends, he’s one of Sweden’s biggest legends too. It’s been a good time, for sure.”
Having earned All-Star honors in the AHL last season, Hildeby is determined to carry on the legacy of Swedish excellence in Toronto. His performance in Montreal caught the eye of the Leafs’ new head coach, Craig Berube, who praised the young goalie’s poise and skill. “Very calm and cool. Tracks the puck extremely well,” Berube remarked. “He takes up a lot of net and made some really good saves with no rebounds.”
Standing tall at 6-foot-7, Hildeby’s imposing presence between the pipes was a factor that didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates. Left winger Matthew Knies raved about the goalie’s ability to shut down scoring opportunities, saying, “He takes up so much net. It’s impossible for those guys to get a good shot on net. Playing in a barn like this where it’s filled on a Saturday night, he kind of stole the show and won us the game.”
Hildeby’s standout performance wasn’t limited to the game in Montreal. Earlier in the week in Ottawa, he impressed by stopping 10 of 11 shots in relief duty against the Senators. Anthony Stolarz, the Leafs’ offseason acquisition, provided valuable guidance to Hildeby before his appearance, reinforcing the goalie’s mental readiness. “A lot of good reminders to get me mentally ready,” Hildeby acknowledged gratefully.
As Hildeby continues to make strides in his NHL journey, his combination of size, skill, and composure bode well for his future in Toronto. With the support of his teammates, coaches, and the guidance of veterans like Mats Sundin, the young goalie is poised to make a lasting impact in the league.
