Toronto Marlies Capture Calder Cup with Logan Shaw’s Leadership

The Toronto Marlies have clinched the AHL championship for the second time in franchise history, and a former Ottawa Senator played a pivotal role in their triumph. The Marlies edged the Chicago Wolves 4-3 in a thrilling Game 5 on Friday, securing the Calder Cup championship series in just five games.

Artur Akhtyamov stood tall in goal, making 27 saves and earning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the MVP of the AHL playoffs. However, it was Marlies captain Logan Shaw who proudly accepted the Calder Cup, a moment of glory for the player who spent parts of two seasons with the Senators from 2020 to 2022. Shaw finished the postseason among the AHL’s elite scorers, racking up 17 points in 24 playoff games.

Shaw’s connection to the Senators remains strong, particularly through his relationship with Drake Batherson. The two have participated in an esteemed East Coast summer skate alongside NHL stars like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. Last summer, they celebrated Brad Marchand’s Stanley Cup victory together, and now they’ll share another championship moment.

Shaw’s most memorable contribution during the finals came when he scored the overtime winner in Game 2, propelling the Marlies to a commanding 2-0 series lead. In a post-game interview with Shawn McKenzie on the club’s YouTube channel, Shaw reflected on the achievement, stating, “This tops my hockey moments for sure. I hope these young guys get a lot more (championships). I hope to guide them to a lot more, as much as I can. But I’m gonna soak this one in for sure. And Toronto, they’re in a great spot. The prospects are awesome; these guys are awesome. The organization does everything the right way. And we’re champions!”

Shaw, a third-round pick by the Florida Panthers in 2011, has played 232 NHL games across various teams, including Florida, Anaheim, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Ottawa. Now, at 33, he has taken on a mentorship role with the Marlies, guiding the next generation of Leafs prospects.

Another local story is that of 22-year-old forward Luke Haymes, who grew up in Ottawa and made his NHL debut this season, playing four games with the Leafs, including one against the Senators. In his first full professional season, Haymes can now call himself an AHL champion.

Marlies head coach John Gruden also has ties to Ottawa, having played for the Senators in the late 90s. He was once considered a candidate to replace DJ Smith as head coach. Meanwhile, Marlies GM Ryan Hardy made headlines during the championship celebration by donning Rodion Amirov’s No. 72 jersey, honoring the Leafs prospect who tragically passed away in 2023 after battling a brain tumor.

Akhtyamov, this year’s playoff MVP, shared a bond with Amirov, as they were teammates at the 2021 World Juniors. Posing with Amirov’s jersey in the Marlies’ official championship photo, Akhtyamov embraced the spirit of camaraderie that defines this championship run.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.