The Maple Leafs announced they’ve added another goaltender to training camp as Jon Gillies has joined the club on a professional tryout agreement (PTO).
NHL goaltender Jon Gillies
Gillies, 30, is originally a 2012 third-round pick of the Calgary Flames. The Concord, NH native hasn’t appeared in an NHL game since the 2022-23 season, when he was a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Gillies appeared in three games for the Blue Jackets two years ago, posting a 1-1-0 record which included a 4.57 goals against average and .864 save percentage.
Throughout his nine-year professional career Gillies has dressed in 35 NHL games which includes stops with the Flames, St Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils and most recently with the Blue Jackets. His career NHL record is 8-16-3, with a 3.39 GAA and .891 Sv.%. He played in one game for the St. Louis Blues in 2021-22, so there’s a little bit of familiarity with both Craig Berube from his Blues tenure as well as Brad Treliving from his time with the Flames.
Gillies has spent the majority of his career at the American Hockey League ranks where his best season dating back to the 2016-17 campaign when he posted a 18-14-1 record, 2.93 GAA and .910 Sv.% with the Stockton Flames.
Gillies joins Maple Leafs’ camp which is set to begin on Wednesday. With Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz locked into multi-year contracts and Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray slated as the third stringer, Gillies will likely be battling for a role with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Toronto also has Dennis Hildeby, Vyacheslav Peksa and Artur Akhtyamov under contract for next season.
The Maple Leafs begin their preseason schedule this weekend and currently sit $1.06 million over the salary cap. GM Brad Treliving has some big decisions to make in the coming days as the 2024-25 season is right around the corner.
Gillies joins forward Steven Lorentz on a PTO in Toronto. Lorentz won the Stanley Cup last season with the Florida Panthers and is hopeful for an NHL contract this season. Meanwhile, Gillies is likely more in line for an AHL contract or a two-way NHL deal from the Maple Leafs.
