'It's A Little Emotional': How Maple Leafs Propsects Alex Steeves and Dennis Hildeby Became the Marlies' 2024 AHL All-Stars

It's the first time that either one of Steeves or Hildeby have been selected to be AHL All-Stars.

"It's definitely an honor," Steeves said on Wednesday. "As a player trying to grow in your career, you have goals that you set for yourself going into seasons. It was a goal of mine last year to make the team. I felt like I was close but needed to find another level and obviously, I've done that this year.

"Being recognized, it's cool for me, my family, and it's a good time to reflect and give thanks to your team and your linemates and the organization who put me in an opportunity to do this. It's definitely not something that I wear alone. It's something that comes from a lot of different people helping me."

The 24-year-old forward has had a tremendous season points wise with the Marlies, averaging over a point-per-game this season with 12 goals and 15 assists in 26 games.

Steeves also set a new Marlies-record for the longest point streak which lasted 17 games, spanning from mid-October to mid-December.

He's also dealt with injuries this season, which he says has been difficult. But the 24-year-old is very pleased to have gotten this All-Star nod.

"To be honest, it's a little emotional," Steeves admitted.

"It's been a pretty hard year for me, honestly. Lots of frustration. There's been some things going on behind the scenes with injuries and stuff that have made it pretty difficult for me. But I'm proud of myself for persevering through stuff like that."

One player who Steeves has grown a relationship with — both on the ice and off it — is Dylan Gambrell. The two, at times this season, have played on a line together. When they began playing together, things clicked, almost immediately.

"It's obviously totally deserved," Gambrell said of Steeves' All-Star selection. "He's played great all year, he's been consistent, and he works. That's the biggest thing, is he's always working to get better and he gets results to go along with it."

Being good friends off the ice, too, what has the 27-year-old learned about Steeves that's stood out most?

"He's got a great attitude. He's able to shake things off. He's a good energy guy in the locker room. He's able to just kind of keep it light and keep things positive. But when it's time to work, he's ready to work."

Speaking of those who work, AHL Toronto's other All-Star, Hildeby, has done just about everything that's asked of him, and more, since coming over from Sweden last spring.

The 20-year-old AHL rookie has led the Marlies to plenty of wins this season, seven to be exact. His 2.20 goals-against average is the fourth-best in the AHL while his .919 save percentage is good enough for 8th in the league.

Hildeby is as calm as goaltenders come. Nothing appears to faze the 20-year-old. That alone has helped him have such a great start in his rookie season with the Marlies.

"I think the great goaltenders always have that demeanour," said Maple Leafs head coach John Gruden, "he kind of has that about him."

Hildeby was called up to the NHL and joined the Maple Leafs on their California road trip last week. Since returning to Toronto, though, the 20-year-old has been loaned back to the Marlies, and the expectation is he'll play on Friday against the Belleville Senators.

"He's calm," Gruden added about the goaltender. "And a little bit has to do with his preparation. He prepares the right way and nothing kind of seems to faze him."

The 2024 AHL All-Star Classic will be in San Jose, California. On Feb. 4, the AHL will have their Skills Competition, where players from each of the four divisions will compete in seven skill events.

Feb. 5 will see the four divisions compete in a three-on-three round-robin tournament with six games lasting 10 minutes each. The top two teams will then face off in a six-minute, three-on-three game for the championship.

"They'll represent our organization quite well," Gruden added.