The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Wednesday that they have signed forward Brandon Buhr to a one-year contract beginning the 2026-27 season. In a release put out by the Maple Leafs, the team stated that Buhr will join the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Buhr recently wrapped up his collegiate career at Union College, spending his final three seasons with the Garnet Chargers after completing his freshman season at Clarkson University. The 23-year-old, 6-foot-2, 208-pound forward was named an assistant captain prior to his senior season at Union. Through 35 games this season, Buhr recorded 19 goals and 17 assists, good for a tie for the team lead in goals and points with 36, among all Garnet Charger skaters.
Over three seasons at Union, the British Columbia native totalled 49 goals and 39 assists. Buhr’s point totals grew each season, rising from zero in his freshman season at Clarkson to 24, 28 and then 36, showcasing growth in the forward’s game. The 88 points totalled during his time at Union, place Buhr 34th overall for most points recorded by any skater wearing the Garnet Charger uniform.
“Athletic, strong forward coming off a great year at Union. Always pressuring guys into making mistakes,” Daily Faceoff and The Leafs Nation prospect expert Steven Ellis said on X about Buhr. “Could see him becoming a checking-line NHLer.”
Buhr will join former Union College teammate John Prokop, who is currently in his first season with the Marlies. Similar to Buhr, Prokop was signed last March to a one-year contract beginning the 2025-26 season. Prokop, like Buhr, joined the Marlies on an amateur tryout and appeared in three games down the stretch.
This is the second NCAA free-agent signing by the Maple Leafs in the past two days, as yesterday they signed former Northeastern defenceman Vincent Borgesi to a two-year contract that will begin in 2026-27.
Buhr’s powerful stride, to go along with his impressive skating ability, could make for an intriguing option if Buhr succeeds at the AHL level. With the Maple Leafs potentially entering a transition period, collegiate free agents may have an opportunity to showcase their skills at the professional level for this storied organization.
No contract terms were disclosed at the time of release.