Maple Leafs sign college UFA John Prokop to one-year contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Thursday that the club has signed college free agent defenseman John Prokop to a one-year contract to begin in the 2025-26 season. As part of the agreement, Prokop will join the AHL affiliated Toronto Marlies for the balance of the current campaign as part of an amateur tryout.

Through 36 games this season with the NCAA’s Union College Garnet Chargers, the 6-foot-3 rearguard notched eight goals and 19 assists to sit sixth in team scoring and first among defensemen with 27 points. Along the way, Prokop notched a plus-12 rating and 20 penalty minutes. In all, through three seasons with the Garnet Chargers, Prokop totaled 20 goals and 65 assists for 85 points through 107 career contests.

“Prokop plays a physical game, and he seems absolutely fearless,” Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis said. “He’s also a solid skater for his size, especially on the back check. Once he figured out how to exploit college teams to create offense, we really saw his ability to skate and control the play. His decision-making with the puck and his ability to read plays at speed will need to improve. But plenty of time in the AHL will help with that.”

A 23-year-old native of Wausau, Wis., Prokop’s time in the collegiate ranks was highlighted by the 2023-24 campaign when he was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top college hockey player, after he paced the Garnet Chargers with 35 points counting eight goals and 27 assists coming in 36 appearances. For his efforts, Prokop was named to the ECAC’s First All-Star Team, one year after he earned a spot on the league’s All-Rookie Team following an impressive freshman showing in which he tallied four goals and 19 assists for 23 points through 35 appearances.