Dennis Hildeby is representing the Toronto Marlies at the AHL All-Star Classic.
The AHL announced the addition on Saturday night after Syracuse Crunch’s Brandon Halverson was deemed unable to participate in the Feb. 2-3 event. It’s the second consecutive year that Hildeby has been selected as an AHL All-Star.
Hildeby has a 7-2-2 record with AHL Toronto this season. His .914 save percentage is the second-best among Marlies goaltenders, only behind Matt Murray (.934) who’s currently up with the Maple Leafs.
The 23-year-old goaltender has bounced between the NHL and AHL this season. Hildeby has three wins and a .909 save percentage in three games since returning from the Maple Leafs on Jan. 24.
The goaltender joins Marlies captain Logan Shaw and team-leading point-getter Alex Steeves at the AHL All-Star Classic, in Palm Desert, California. Shaw has five goals and 17 assists in 37 games with the Marlies while Steeves has 24 goals and 15 assists in 33 games.
Related: ‘I Wish I Could Take Them All’: Marlies Head Coach John Gruden Recognizes Full Team After AHL All-Star Classic Nod
Marlies head coach John Gruden will also be coaching the North Division team.
“It’s a team thing and it’s a staff thing. Not just the assistant coaches, but the goalie coaches, video coaches, and everyone that travels,” the head coach said in January.
“It’s such a huge part and it makes my job, and our job, a lot easier. 100 percent I wish I could take them all [to the All-Star game].”
Steeves is one goal away from tying the Marlies’ franchise goal record of 94, set by Ryan Hamilton. The forward broke the team’s franchise points record earlier this season.
Related: ‘It’s Nice To Take A Moment To Be Grateful’: Maple Leafs Minor-Leaguer Alex Steeves Reacts To Breaking Marlies’ Franchise Points Record
The Maple Leafs drafted Hildeby in the fourth round (122nd overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. In 54 career AHL games, the goaltender has a 28-14-9 record with a .911 save percentage.
Hildeby has appeared in six NHL games this season, winning three games with a .878 save percentage.
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