Last year it was Mitchell Marner who led the London Knights to victory in the Memorial Cup with an astonishing 14 points in 4 games. Yes those stats are accurate; Marner “the Orchard… had 12 assists.
This year the Maple Leafs had another quality forward prospect light up the lamp and hoist the Memorial Cup above his head with honor. That prospect was Jeremy Bracco.
Bracco had 8 points in 4 games, including two goals in the final game as well as an assist. He was a pivotal piece for the Windsor Spitfires and was given praise by a number of players and coaches.
Mikhail Sergachev (Montreal Canadiens prospect) who was playing on Bracco’s Spitfires team quoted: “He’s just one of the best players I’ve played with.… It’s always good to see players praise eachother, especially when they are in the farm system of a rival team like Toronto and Montreal are.
Sergachev is without a doubt the Canadiens top prospect defenseman and there is a good chance the two players will face each other sooner than later in the big show at the NHL level.
Ex-Leaf Warren Rychel who is the general manager for the Spitfires took Bracco under his wing and helped him adjust to the Spitfires style of play after being traded from the Kitchen Rangers after his first 27 games, in which he produced a whopping 51 points.
Without a doubt Bracco had a legendary season, he really stood out as a quality prospect for the Maple Leafs. If you recall he started the season off with a 25-game point streak with Kitchener and was then traded to the Memorial Cup winning team and in the midst of all of this Bracco was playing for USA in the World Jr’s and scored a key goal against Canada to secure a big win for his team totalling 5 points in 6 games and winning a Gold medal.
The 20 year old was selected in 2015 in the second round (61st) overall. He’s only 5’9… but is decently solid at 180 pounds. Obviously he’s a player that has a high skill level and will have to continue to work on his core strength like Mitch Marner. Both of these players have a high level of skill but will need to ensure they are able to grind it out as they move forward.
Expect Bracco to be primed and ready for training camp and Leafs rookie camp this September. He’s a very positive person on the ice and in the dressing room and players like him and his attitude. Perhaps the right handed winger will bring yet another offensive weapon to Babcock’s Maple Leafs.
Keep an eye on Jeremy Bracco!
Thanks for reading, have a great week.