Toronto Maple Leafs sign Christian Hanson
The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have signed forward Christian Hanson to a one-year, two-way contract worth $650,000. The new contract kept the restricted free agent from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Hanson went undrafted and was signed by Toronto at the end of the 2008-09 season. He began his professional hockey career playing for the University of Notre Dame in 2005-06. In three years at Notre Dame Hanson did not emerge as an offensive spark until his final season when he registered 13 goals and 22 points in 47 games. The sudden scoring output caught the eye of Leafs’ General manager Brian Burke who signed him to an entry-level deal. Hanson only played five games with the Leafs in the 2008-09 season and spent much of last year with the club’s American Hockey League affiliate the Toronto Marlies.
Hanson provides Burke with another big body for either his third or fourth line next season. Although Hanson has not yet broken out offensively, and has had a tough time remaining in the Leafs’ line-up he is still only 24 years old and has some potential. Moreover, the Pennsylvania native is willing to work hard in all areas of the ice, making him an asset at the bottom of the roster.
With a young team and a serious lack of depth up front it would not be unexpected if Hanson spent the season in the National Hockey League. Able to play both centre and wing he could earn himself some fourth line duty. The key for the youngster will be finding a way to get on the score-sheet more often. If he is not able to contribute enough he could find himself spending the majority of the season developing with the Marlies.
Last season with the Leafs Hanson collected two goals and five assists in 31 games.
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