Maple Leafs prospect checkpoint: How has William Villeneuve fared through 5 months of 2025-26?
During the defenceman’s four years with the Sea Dogs, Villeneuve skated in 216 games, picking up 21 goals and 132 assists, totalling the second most points with 56 among all defencemen on the Sea Dogs during his final season in 2021-21. Villeneuve donned an “A” on his jersey for his final three years with the Sea Dogs, as one of the team’s leaders.
Villeneuve’s first three years with the Marlies showed growth, posting seasons of 25, 25 and 40 points, leading the Marlies defencemen in points, while also posting a team high in both assists with 36, and plus-minus, with a rating of plus-17.
Through 39 games played this season, Villeneuve has recorded three goals and 15 assists, once again leading all Marlies defencemen in points on the season. Quietly, even at the age of 23, Villeneuve is becoming a veteran presence on the Marlies, helping younger players like Noah Chadwick and Blake Smith, who are both 20-years-old, to help settle in during their first full seasons at the AHL level.
The Marlies currently find themselves with a record of 23-15-4-3, good for 53 points and third place in the AHL’s North Division. The Marlies currently have a five-point lead on the Belleville Senators, who sit in sixth place in the North and outside the playoff picture, as the top five teams in the North Division qualify for the playoffs. With 27 games to play, Villeneuve will be relied on heavily to help the Marlies secure a playoff spot in a packed division.
With Tanev on long-term injured reserve and an approaching trade deadline that could see the Maple Leafs sell off assets, Villeneuve awaits a debut at the NHL level after 204 career AHL games.