Arizona State hockey has a third player heading to the NHL after the 2024-25 season. The senior forward from DeWitt, New York signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs's AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, on Saturday.
🖊 News | We've signed forward Ryan Kirwan to a 2-year contract.#LongLive pic.twitter.com/pi2pt1LszH
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) March 30, 2025
Kirwan was ASU's top scorer this year, potting 26 goals and 13 assists. He tied fifth-year forward Lukas Sillinger at 39 points but the Regina, Saskatoon native made his mark through helpers instead of finding the back of the net like Kirwan.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported during the intermission of Toronto's Saturday night clash with the Los Angeles Kings that the team had been eyeing Kirwan and wanted to bring him in. Now, he'll get a chance to prove himself with the professionals as he'll join the Maple Leafs on a tryout contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. Kirwan's AHL deal starts with the 2025-26 campaign, per The Hockey News' Michael Augello.
Ryan Kirwan could be the third Sun Devil to play in the NHL
Kirwan's signing signals yet another gigantic opportunity for ASU hockey to be exposed on an international platform. If he gets to touch the ice with the white Maple Leaf on his sweater, he'll become just the third Sun Devil alum to play in the NHL.
Goalie Joey Daccord (2016-19) was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2015 draft (199th overall) and played two seasons in the Canadian capital from 2019-21. He was then selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft and earned his way to a starting role in 2023 where he's remained ever since.
Forward Josh Doan, son of NHL legend Shane Doan, was selected 37th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2021. He made his league debut at Mullett Arena on March 25, 2024 where he scored twice in a 6-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. After the Coyotes were sold and moved to Salt Lake City last year, Doan has been in and out of the lineup with the Utah Hockey Club this season.
Kirwan wasn't the only Sun Devil to sign a professional contract recently. Defensemen Noah Beck and Ty Murchison signed with the San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers respectively on Wednesday.
Team captain Ethan Szmagaj also joined on with the ECHL's Savannath Ghost Pirates on Friday while goalie Luke Pavicich signed with the Orlando Solar Bears of the same league on Tuesday. Four other players entered the transfer portal, leaving head coach Greg Powers with significant holes to fill for the 2025-26 season.