6-foot-5 top Leafs prospect Matt Lahey gets a huge role in upcoming season

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Daniel Lucente
September 9, 2024 (2:09 PM)

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Matt Lahey is going to play in his first USHL season, and the 6-foot-5 Leafs prospect has just gotten a massive role to take on by his coaches.

Picked 200th overall in the 7th round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, defenseman Matt Lahey is one of the newest prospects to watch for the Toronto Maple Leafs. After spending last season in the BCHL with the Nanaimo Clippers, he's taking a big jump to the USHL, suiting up for the Fargo Force. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 203 pounds, this left-shot defenseman is still only 18 years old, yet has already cemented a place on Fargo's top defensive pairing, an early indicator of just how special the coaching staff sees him to be.

While still preseason, this is a big step in the development process for Matt Lahey. The USHL represents an increase in the overall level of competition while maintaining his NCAA eligibility, keeping options open while he continues to fine-tune his game. His move from the BCHL to the USHL becomes very critical since it allows him to compete with stronger opponents and at a greater pace.

The physical attributes Matt Lahey possesses are size and reach, which are two things that NHL GMs, of which Brad Treliving is one, drool over. His offensive numbers from last year weren't anything spectacular, as he managed two goals and 15 assists in 54 games, but they do provide a good jumping-off point for a defense-first type player.

Most importantly, though, Lahey is young, so there is room to grow. At 18 years old, he's still physically and mentally developing, and his ability to adapt to higher levels of play may unlock untapped potential.

Also worth noting is the historical value of Matt Lahey's draft selection. He became the first Nanaimo Clipper in nearly two decades to be drafted directly from the team. This makes him one of the few to have reached such a place, further solidifying what scouts and analysts see as his unique promise. Starting Lahey on Fargo's top pair does suggest the organization feels he has the skill set and may have the potential for a big impact.

It may be far too early to predict Matt Lahey's professional future, but one thing is certain, Toronto took a gamble by selecting him in the later rounds. The Leafs can afford to be patient with Lahey, giving him all the time in the world to develop at his pace, which will most likely be two or three full seasons of NCAA hockey before even considering turning pro. With his towering frame and growing defensive awareness, the foundation is there for Lahey to provide great value.

With Matt Lahey getting into the USHL, eyes will be watching for his development. Did the Leafs find one of those hidden gems in the draft? It's still early to tell that, but what can be said is that Lahey has everything: size, work ethic, and a proper development path to give him at least a fighting chance to make it to the NHL one day.

Source: Maple Leafs Daily
6-foot-5 Maple Leafs prospect earns himself an unexpectedly large opportunity

Source: Elite Prospects
Matt Lahey Stats