The Toronto Star’s Kevin McGran reported today that the Leafs are giving a player with a controversial on-ice past a second chance:

The Maple Leafs are giving banished junior Michael Liambas a chance to resume his hockey career.

On Oct. 30, 2009, Liambas was playing for the Erie Otters when he drove Kitchener’s Ben Fanelli into the boards, causing a serious head injury. Liambas, now 21, was given a season-long suspension by CHL commissioner David Branch that ended his junior career.

The Leafs invited Liambas to their rookie camp, which begins Saturday in London, Ont.
“We’re going to give him a chance at rookie camp,” said Toronto general manager Brian Burke. “He’s an honours student. Everyone that’s ever played with him raves about his character. (Erie GM) Sherry Bassin and (coach) Robbie Ftorek told me he’s as good a kid as they’ve ever had.

“He’s a very intelligent player, a natural leader, and he’s tough. So we’ll see what he can do to stay with the Marlies.”

Reaction to the tryout has been mixed. Toronto radio host Greg Brady tweeted this morning that the decision was “very, very poor judgment on the Leafs part in the Michael Liambas invite. He can't skate/play well enough to even be a 4th-line AHL thug.”

The three most infamous incidents in junior hockey last season were Thrashers’ prospect Patrice Cormier elbowing of Quebec Ramparts defenseman Mikael Tam, Sabres 2009 1st round pick Zack Kassian throwing a Jack Tatum-like flying body block on Barrie Colts forward Matt Kennedy and the Liambas hit on Fanelli. All three players had heavy suspensions levied against them for their acts, but since Cormier and Kassian are NHL-level prospects, they will get a chance continue their careers and get past a momentary lapse in judgment.

Toronto is just giving a kid who made a mistake the same opportunity.

The rookie tournament in London, Ontario begins on Saturday, September 11th with the Maple Leafs rookies facing rookies from the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Black Hawks. For ticket information, go to www.johnlabattcentre.com.

To read the rest of McGran’s piece, go to: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/857607--leafs-give-liambas-a-shot

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