Maple Leafs' Erik Kallgren to make first career start in net vs. Stars

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetMarch 15, 2022 - 2:23pm

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe confirms that rookie goalie Erik Kallgren will get the nod vs. the Stars, as it's a great opportunity for the youngster, with Keefe seeing so much confidence and poise in the quiet kid already.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are giving a rookie goaltender his first career start less than one week before the trade deadline.

Erik Källgren, 25, will be in net when the team hosts the Dallas Stars Tuesday night, head coach Sheldon Keefe announced.

Petr Mrazek will back up Källgren after struggling in two starts since Jack Campbell went down with a rib injury. Källgren made his NHL debut last Thursday in relief of Mrazek and nearly picked up a win as the Maple Leafs rallied to force overtime.

Källgren, a Stockholm native, signed as a free agent with the Maple Leafs in May after originally being a seventh-round draft pick by the Coyotes in 2015. He has a 15-8-1 record with one shutout and a .904 save percentage in 26 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies this season.

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