NEWS

Former Hamilton Red Wings star Zach Hyman (photo credit - Graig Abel/Toronto Maple Leafs) made his NHL debut last night as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Hyman, who was picked-up by the Leafs from the Florida Panthers organization this past off-season, played his first NHL game on Monday night, February 29, 2016, versus the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.  Hyman played 15:58 in the game, paired on a line with Marlies teammate and highly-touted prospect William Nylander, recording two shots on goal and pressing for the final goal during the last minute of play in their 2-1 loss to the Lightning.

For the full game summary, please CLICK HERE.

Born on June 9, 1992 in Toronto, Ontario, Hyman recently graduated with honours, including a 94% average, from the prestigious Tanenbaum CHAT (Anne & Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto). During his high school career, he would excel both academically and athletically, twice being named High School Hockey’s MVP, as well as his school’s Athlete-of-the-Year.

Hyman entered the OJHL as a 16-year old in 2008-09. He would record 37 points in only 49 games to be named the club’s Rookie-of-the-Year and just prior to the season, Zach would turn his academic achievements into accepting a full scholarship to attend Ivy League school Princeton University, beginning in 2011-12. 

Named captain, the youngest in the CCHL, Hyman set the league on fire in 2009-10, recording 75 points in 49 games, while receiving numerous team and league accolades throughout. He was named the CCHL November Player-of-the-Month, as well as earning Red Wings’ Team MVP honours. Also selected to play for Canada’s Under-20 team at the 3 Nations Tournament in Norrtallje, Sweden, Hyman served as alternate captain and was named Game MVP after scoring two goals versus Finland.

Following his award-filled 2009-10 season, the 6’2”, 195 lbs. power forward would receive the ultimate honour for an up-and-coming junior-aged star. One of the youngest players eligible for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Zach Hyman would be selected in the 5th round, 123rd overall by the Florida Panthers.

After attending the Panthers Rookie Camp, Hyman returned to Hamilton as the OJHL’s only NHL drafted player and would not disappoint, immediately rocketing up the scoring charts. During the month of October, he would lead the Red Wings to a 7-2-1 record, while running up a 10-game point streak to be named the OJHL Player-of-the-Month. Hyman was then selected to represent Team Canada East at the 2010 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge held in Penticton, B.C., and would help capture a silver medal after falling to Team USA in the championship game.  Re-committing to the University of Michigan during the season, Hyman would finish second in scoring in the entire OJHL with 102 points and earn 1st Team All-Star honours, as well as being named the league's Most Gentlemanly Player.  He then received the ultimate honours by being named the winner of the OHA's B.J. Monro Memorial Trophy as the Top Professional Prospect, as well as being named CJHL Player-of-the-Year, the OJHL's first recipient since Trent Walford in 1996.

Congratulations to Zach from everyone in the OJHL on living out his dream and best of luck in the future!