Since Keefe was promoted from the Marlies in late November, the Leafs have been recalling a wide array of players from their AHL outpost, some for the first time and not always to play.
Brooks, for instance, got his first call-up in mid-December.
He was there on an emergency basis with Trevor Moore not quite ready to return from a shoulder injury and no extra forwards available otherwise for a game that night against Buffalo. He was promoted to the NHL two more times before finally playing a game for the Leafs last week at home against the Rangers. It was a reward for his progress with the Marlies, with whom Keefe said he?s made strides, particularly as a skater. It would also give him a first-hand look at how John Tavares and Auston Matthews practice, how Spezza takes care of his body after a game, how NHL players stretch and get ready to play. He would familiarize himself with Leafs players and staff, many of whom he knows well already from the Marlies.
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?That?s part of what I?ve been trying to do here is to try to expose as many people as possible to our program,? Keefe said, referring to the Leafs. ?Sort of along the same lines of moving players around in the lineup, trying to get a feel for players that might just be needing an opportunity. And part of getting that opportunity is to be prepared for it when it comes, so even if they don?t get in the lineup, we think just having them around gives them a chance to be comfortable with the staff, with their teammates, with what we?re doing, with the NHL and what the NHL brings, so that when they do get on the ice they feel more comfortable.
?We?re trying to expose as many guys as we can to it as possible.?
