Marlies Capture Calder Cup; Former Canadiens Shine in AHL Championship

The Toronto Marlies celebrated a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Chicago Wolves on Friday night, securing the AHL Championship and lifting the coveted Calder Cup. While former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau found himself on the losing end, three former members of the Canadiens’ organization—Brandon Baddock, Logan Shaw, and Michael Pezzetta—emerged as champions.

Brandon Baddock, who dedicated nearly two seasons to the Canadiens’ organization primarily with the Laval Rocket and made a brief appearance in one game with the Habs, did not see the ice during the playoffs. Nevertheless, he remains a part of the Marlies’ success story.

In contrast, Shaw and Pezzetta played pivotal roles in the Marlies’ championship run. Shaw, the team captain, was the first player to lift the trophy, showcasing his leadership throughout the playoffs. He accumulated 17 points in 24 playoff games while racking up 28 penalty minutes. Shaw’s stint with the Canadiens was relatively short, playing 30 games during the 2017-18 season after being claimed off waivers to bolster a team struggling with injuries. Out of his 39 career NHL points, eight were recorded while donning the Canadiens’ colors. With a total of 232 NHL games under his belt, Shaw has spent the majority of his career in the AHL, representing seven different teams.

Michael Pezzetta, drafted in the sixth round by the Canadiens in 2016, also made a significant impact during the playoffs, participating in 23 games and contributing five points along with a hefty 82 penalty minutes. Known for his physical style of play, Pezzetta has been a reliable enforcer. He turned professional in the 2018-19 season and has played 200 NHL games with Montreal, recording 38 points and 241 penalty minutes. After a limited 25-game stint with the Canadiens in 2024-25, he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs last offseason. However, he played only nine NHL games, spending the majority of the season with the Marlies.

On the other side, Cayden Primeau had a solid season in the AHL despite the loss. He posted a record of 21-11-7, with a 2.41 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. In the playoffs, he held a 9-9 record with a 2.72 GAA and a .913 SV. While these statistics reflect a strong performance in the AHL, his brief time in the NHL this season was less favorable. In three games with the Maple Leafs, he achieved a 2-1-0 record but struggled with a 4.30 GAA and an .838 save percentage. After being placed on waivers, he was claimed by the Carolina Hurricanes, which led him to the Wolves. This might suggest that the AHL could be his optimal playing ground rather than the NHL.

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