Bobby McMann (born June 15, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Bobby McMann
Born (1996-06-15) June 15, 1996 (age 28)
Wainwright, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2020–present

Playing career

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While playing for the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), McMann committed to Colgate University to play with the university's Raiders hockey club at the age of 20. In his final year with the Pontiacs, McMann was the recipient of the Pipeline AJHL Scholarship Award, awarded for 'leadership, sportsmanship, dedication and citizenship' to one member of each AJHL squad for use towards post-secondary education.[1] Although first eligible to be drafted in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft while with the Raiders, McMann was never selected in an NHL draft.[2][3]

McMann played four seasons with the Raiders, serving as alternate captain for his penultimate season and captain of the team during his final year, during which he was also nominated for the Hobey Baker Award.[4] After his college career, McMann signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL).[5]

Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, McMann's first professional season was split across the AHL and ECHL's Wichita Thunder, considered to be a level below the AHL. With the Thunder, McMann recorded 17 points in 18 games, while producing a modest 4 points in 21 games with the Marlies in a limited bottom-six forward role. In his sophomore season, at the age of 25, established himself as a top-six forward in the Marlies lineup, appearing with the club for most of the 2021–22 season and earning a spot on the team's top power play unit.[5] McMann would finish the season with 24 goals, establishing a new franchise record for most goals in a season by a rookie, surpassing Josh Leivo who recorded 23.[a][6][7] McMann was in a race with teammate and fellow rookie Alex Steeves for the second half of the season for the franchise rookie scoring title; Steeves would finish the campaign with 23.[6] In reward for his play, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Marlies' parent club and NHL affiliate, signed McMann to a two-year, entry-level contract worth slightly over league minimum.[7]

The following season, McMann continued his strong play. After recording six points in three games to be named the AHL's Player of the Week for January 8, 2023 (for a collective season total of 15 points in 17 games played), McMann was recalled by the Maple Leafs on January 10, after placing defenceman T.J. Brodie on injury reserve.[8] The following day, after Maple Leafs star centre Auston Matthews was held from the lineup from injury, McMann made his NHL debut in a contest against the Nashville Predators; in the process, he became the first Maple Leafs player to wear number 74.[9] After eight games with the Maple Leafs, McMann was returned to the Marlies; he recorded one disallowed goal in his NHL stint in a depth role with the team's fourth line.[10][11]

McMann missed part of the Maple Leafs' 2023–24 training camp due to a lingering lower-body injury he sustained the previous season.[12][13] On October 10, 2023, he was placed on waivers,[14] and was assigned to the Marlies after clearing.[15] On November 11, he was recalled by the Maple Leafs,[16] and recorded two assists in a 5–2 win over the Vancouver Canucks that same day.[17] On December 16, McMann scored his first career NHL goal in a 7–0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.[18] On February 13, 2024, McMann recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a 4–1 win over the St. Louis Blues.[19] On March 13, McMann was signed to a two-year contract extension by the Maple Leafs.[20]

Personal life

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McMann began skating at the age of two.[5] While at Colgate University, McMann majored in economics and minored in theatre.[4] As a student-athlete, McMann was a four-time ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team honouree.[citation needed]

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13 Lloydminster Bobcats AJHL 1 0 0 0 0
2013–14 Bonnyville Pontiacs AJHL 54 11 11 22 22 3 0 0 0 0
2014–15 Bonnyville Pontiacs AJHL 51 21 18 39 40 15 7 2 9 6
2015–16 Bonnyville Pontiacs AJHL 47 36 32 68 40 4 0 3 3 2
2016–17 Colgate University ECAC 35 5 14 19 12
2017–18 Colgate University ECAC 40 14 16 30 20
2018–19 Colgate University ECAC 36 8 15 23 32
2019–20 Colgate University ECAC 34 10 10 20 58
2020–21 Wichita Thunder ECHL 18 6 11 17 2 5 1 1 2 0
2020–21 Toronto Marlies AHL 21 2 2 4 6
2021–22 Newfoundland Growlers ECHL 4 2 2 4 8
2021–22 Toronto Marlies AHL 61 24 11 35 16
2022–23 Toronto Marlies AHL 30 21 8 29 16
2022–23 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 10 0 1 1 2
2023–24 Toronto Marlies AHL 6 2 1 3 6
2023–24 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 56 15 9 24 52
NHL totals 66 15 10 25 54

Notes

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  1. ^ Despite appearing in 21 games the previous season, McMann was still considered a rookie by AHL rules.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Bonnyville Pontiacs Forward Bobby McMann Receives Inter Pipeline AJHL Scholarship Award". Bonnyville Pontiacs. April 13, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Hockey Operations Guidelines – NHL.com – NHL Headquarters". NHL.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Fox, Luke (January 13, 2013). "Bobby McMann's father surprised to find himself on Maple Leafs' trip". Sportsnet. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Bobby McMann Senior CLASS Award". Senior Class Award. Premier Sports Management. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Barden, Nick (February 4, 2022). "'His strength is his strength' How Bobby McMann made an immediate impact with the Toronto Marlies". The Leafs' Nation. Playmaker Capital. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Ryan, Luke (April 9, 2022). "Toronto Maple Leafs: 2 Prospects Both Set to Break Marlies Record". Editor in Leaf. FanSided. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Parsons, Sr., Jim (May 1, 2022). "Maple Leafs Reward Bobby McMann with Two-Year ELC". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  8. ^ Koshan, Terry (January 10, 2022). "Recalled Bobby McMann 'ready' if he gets tapped to make NHL debut with Maple Leafs". Toronto Sun. Postmedia. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  9. ^ Hornby, Lance (January 11, 2022). "Leaf Notes: Auston Matthews out, Bobby McMann in". The Sault Star. Postmedia. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  10. ^ "Maple Leafs' Bobby McMann: Sent down to AHL". RotoWire. CBSSports. January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  11. ^ Williams, Thomas (January 12, 2023). "Leafs' Bobby McMann has first NHL goal waved off in unusual fashion". Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo!. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  12. ^ Alter, David. "Maple Leafs Forward Bobby McMann Opens Up About Torn Adductor Injury Recovery During Training Camp". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  13. ^ Barden, Nick. "Bobby McMann and Alex Steeves Get Opportunity in Main Group's Top-Six at Maple Leafs Practice". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  14. ^ "Leafs waive McMann; Ducks claim Johnston from Islanders". The Sports Network. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  15. ^ Alter, David. "Why the Maple Leafs Called Up Simon Benoit After Bobby McMann Clears Waivers". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  16. ^ "Maple Leafs recall Bobby McMann to play in place of Ryan Reaves; Klingberg returns". Sportsnet. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  17. ^ McCarthy, Dave. "Nylander extends point streak to 15, Maple Leafs surge past Canucks". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  18. ^ McCarthy, Dave. "Jones makes 38 saves, Maple Leafs shut out Penguins". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Fox, Luke. "Maple Leafs' McMann goes from healthy scratch to hat-trick hero in matter of hours". Sportsnet. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  20. ^ "Maple Leafs Re-sign Bobby Mcmann To A Two-year Contract Extension". NHL.com. March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
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